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THE ARMED SERVICES AND AUXILIARY SERVICES

new Emergency Rescue Service, with a strength of some 100, was established in Tsuen Wan to provide a reserve force of men and women to reinforce the regular fire-fighting rescue and medical services of the New Territories when required. This is a combined auxiliary service composed of elements of Auxiliary Fire Service, Auxiliary Medical Service and Civil Aid Services, and is under the control of the Director of Fire Services.

The Auxiliary Medical Service, with a strength of approximately 5,200 serves as an emergency reinforcement unit for the Medical and Health Department and the Fire Services. The officers and members are divided into two groups, one trained and allocated to work in Hospitals, Convalescent Units or Dressing Stations, and the other trained to work as First Aid Parties and Ambulance Teams to assist the regular Ambulance Service and Rescue Services at the scene of any major disaster. In the event of a large number of casualties the AMS is trained and equipped to set up convalescent units. All members allocated to hospital duties carry out training in hospitals annually. During the year members of the Service assisted at large fires, traffic accidents and during typhoons.

The Civil Aid Services, is a general, multi-purpose auxiliary force designed to serve the community in peace time emergencies. It developed out of the wartime Air Raid Warden Service and has, since its inception in 1951, maintained an active strength of over 40,000 volunteers. It helps local kaifong and welfare associations in their various activities, such as crowd control on occasions involving large attendances. It is available at all times to support and supplement government services and public utility companies, by providing manpower, both skilled and unskilled, to deal with natural disasters and any other emergencies. During this year, some 500 members were given specialist training in tram and bus driving, ferry handling and wharf and godown machine handling. Two officers of the training staff completed a three month bomb disposal training course at the Army School of Ammunition, Central Ammunition Depot, Bramley, England.

The CAS consists of a large Warden Service for general duty tasks, a Command Unit and Rescue Service on both sides of the harbour and several Administrative Units. All CAS sub-units have headquarters located at convenient points throughout the