ENG-1955 — Page 231

180

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

emergency would continue to perform duties in which they are already expert naturally require less training. All Units are composed partly of volunteers and partly of conscripts enrolled after the introduction of compulsory service in 1951.

Members of the Essential Services Corps are paid instructional allowances at the same rates as those payable to members of the Royal Hong Kong Defence Force in respect of instructional parades.

The Essential Services Corps proper consists of a number of units, each responsible for maintaining an essential service such as the supply of electricity, gas, water, communications, etc. It is staffed primarily by those already employed in such service, but contains an element of others normally employed in non-essential industries or departments who would be called upon to assist in the maintenance of the specific essential undertakings, should the need for their services ever arise. The Corps is now several thousand strong.

The Auxiliary Fire Service, an autonomous Unit of the Essential Services Corps is, as the name implies, to assist the regular Fire Brigade. The Auxiliary Fire Service is now a highly trained, keen and efficient body some hundreds strong which has already been frequently called upon to come to the assistance of the Fire Brigade in a number of serious fires.

The Auxiliary Medical Service provides first-aid and hospital treatment for the population of the Colony in an emergency. It is built up around the Government Department of Medical and Health Services, the St. John Ambulance Brigade, and the members of the medical and nursing professions in general. In addition, a large number of persons with no previous medical experience have been enrolled, and training has proceeded to the point where members are fitted to act as auxiliary nurses in hospitals or as first-aid workers in the field. The Unit is now several thousand strong and of constantly improving efficiency.

The Civil Aid Services are responsible for all civil defence functions not covered by the other emergency services. It is divided into a number of sub-units (Wardens' Services, Rescue Service etc.) along orthodox civil defence lines, and is now several thousand strong. The members of the Unit are markedly keen and more volunteers are coming forward than can be trained. Although there is much still to be done, satisfactory progress in training is being made.