ENG-1969 — Page 275

THE ARMED SERVICES AND AUXILIARY SERVICES

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other essential services. Approximately half the units are formed from government departments and the other half from commercial organisations. The total strength is about 11,000. Each unit is principally staffed by persons who have undertaken voluntarily to continue with their normal work under severe emergency condi- tions. When called out for service members become subject to special legal obligations and also become entitled to substantial benefits appropriate to the abnormal conditions of service.

The Auxiliary Medical Service has a strength of approximately 5,200 members who are trained to reinforce the Medical and Health Department and the Fire Services in time of emergency. The officers and members are divided into two groups, one trained to work in hospitals, convalescent units or dressing stations and the other trained to assist the Fire Services as drivers, ambulance crews or mobile first aid parties. During the outbreak of cholera this year members of the Auxiliary Medical Service staffed the Chatham Road Quarantine Centre, which was used as an observation unit for the contacts of cholera patients.

The Civil Aid Services with a strength of over 4,000 members is Hong Kong's Civil Defence Corps and multi-purpose auxiliary force. Volunteers from all walks of life are trained in warden duties, search and rescue, communications and as heavy-duty vehicle drivers. Some members are also trained as tram or bus drivers or as wharf machine operators in order to assist the public utilities in emergencies. The Civil Aid Services also provide and train the personnel for Hong Kong's mountain rescue teams. The members of these teams undergo vigorous mountaineering training and are ready to respond to any call for help at any time.

The junior wing of the Service, the Civil Aid Services' Cadet Corps, expanded during the year from the two original pilot units to a total of eight units by the end of 1969. The Corps aims at providing boys between the ages of 14 and 17 with an exciting and varied programme of activities in order to develop character and civic responsibility.

The 650-man Auxiliary Fire Service provides a valuable reserve of trained manpower willing and able to take a prime role in fire fighting and rescue work when the regular Fire Service is under stress during major fires, typhoons or other natural disasters.