ENG-1986 — Page 280

THE ARMED SERVICES AND AUXILIARY SERVICES

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CAS is also very heavily committed to assisting in performing civic duties during more peaceful times. It has a membership of about 3 700 adults, and 2 800 youths who make up the Cadet Corps.

During the year, adult volunteers helped to organise charity fund-raising walks and other events.

Volunteers are enrolled into either the Operations Wing or the Administration Wing. Units within the Operations Wing are situated throughout the territory, so that members are able to respond rapidly to any incident in their area.

The tactical force unit, comprising the emergency, mountain rescue and liaison units, is made up of volunteers who receive special training in rescue work so as to be able to respond quickly to calls.

All of the support units are grouped under the Administration Wing.

The CAS has two main training centres, situated on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon, and a 20-hectare training camp at Tsing Lung Tau. The centres have simulated smoke- rooms, facilities for rescue from confined spaces, towers for practising rescue from heights and classrooms for indoor instruction.

The training camp is also extensively used by many other government and non- government organisations. It has facilities for all forms of training, including a swimming pool, a rope initiative course, a soccer field, camping areas, an oriental garden and a very scenic jogging track.

A new training centre is being developed at Tai Tan, Sai Kung, to provide both accommodation and classrooms for persons wishing to take part in all forms of water- borne activities.

Training is progressive, and cadets entering at the age of 12 to 14 progress through a series of useful and beneficial studies. The cadets leave the corps on reaching the age of 18. Cadets are encouraged to join in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. In 1986, three cadets qualified for Gold Awards, 15 for Silver and 103 for Bronze.

Auxiliary Medical Services

The Auxiliary Medical Services, formed in 1950, is a volunteer organisation with members trained and equipped to provide an essential service to the public, especially in times of emergency. In 1986, the establishment was 5 835 with 1 500 of the members being professionally qualified in medical, nursing, para-medical or hospital administration

services.

In addition to emergency work, the members perform a variety of duties, such as first aid coverage at public functions, manning of medical posts at refugee camps, staffing methadone treatment centres and providing lifeguard services on public beaches and swimming pools.

The service has a fleet of eight ambulances. On weekends and public holidays, ambulance services are provided in country parks and suburban areas in addition to motor-cycle ambulance patrols and first aid posts.