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LOCAL FORCES AND CIVIL DEFENCE SERVICES

professions, but many people with no previous training in nursing and first aid have also been enrolled and trained to act as auxiliary nurses in hospitals or as first aid workers in the field. The service has approximately 5,000 members.

Members assisted the Medical and Health Services Department in anti-poliomyelitis and anti-cholera campaigns. On the outbreak of cholera in June, the Director of Medical and Health Services again found it necessary to institute an isolation centre for cholera 'contacts' in order to minimize the risk of spreading the disease. The task of running this isolation centre fell largely on the Auxiliary Medical Service and the response to the emergency was again excellent, whilst employers co-operated by releasing members from their usual employment.

The Civil Aid Service is responsible for all the civil defence functions not covered by the other emergency services. The service includes three command units, control and communications units, a warden service with a total of 275 posts throughout urban areas, a rescue service, a despatch service equipped with motor scooters, an accommodation unit and the necessary administrative units. Volunteers are always available and membership remains con- sistently in excess of 5,000, most of whom train part-time, although a full-time training system is maintained for instructors and specialists. The annual field day, which was open to the public, was attended by over 4,000 members who took part in competi- tions designed to test individuals' and units' skills and organiza- tions.

At all times members voluntarily turn out to assist the com- munity when the need arises and provide uniformed members to help local Kaifong and welfare associations when requested.

The Auxiliary Fire Service has a membership of 700. They man their own appliances at the week-ends as well as doing two hours a week training with regular appliances and equipment. Combined exercises are held with the regular service once a month. In addi- tion to assisting the regular fire service at major fires and other emergencies, such as landslides and collapses of buildings during storms or typhoons, the Auxiliary Fire Service provides special relay units and supplies, on demand, salt water from the harbour, either from fire floats or from heavy pumping appliances and hose- laying lorries, to fires ashore. The service also supplies, both in