ENG-1991 — Page 332

PUBLIC ORDER

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Vietnamese refugees who have been accepted for resettlement, illegal immigrants who have volunteered for repatriation to Vietnam and other categories of Vietnamese; and the Argyle Street Detention Centre for those who arrived in Hong Kong on or after June 16, 1988 and are detained pending the screening process.

Service Training

Service training is divided into centralised courses and unit training, both of which are designed to promote and maintain the operational efficiency of the CAS. The centralised courses in 1991-2 embrace a wide variety of subjects. In addition to normal counter- disaster courses, first-aid, fire-fighting and conventional rescue instruction have been included, the aim being to train adult volunteers in disaster control and management during large-scale emergencies and at civic functions.

Overseas training is organised for both permanent staff and volunteer officers. In 1991, two officers attended the Operational Disaster Management Course organised by the Australian Counter Disaster College, Melbourne. Other officers attended the State Emergency Services Directors' Conference in Melbourne and the Emergency Planning '91 International Conference in Lancaster, England.

Cadet Corps

The Cadet Corps is divided into three girl units, 23 boy units and six mixed units spread throughout the territory. Cadets enter at the age of 12 to 14 and undertake a series of training courses. Tuition includes training in basic mechanical and electrical engineering, carpentry and fibreglass moulding, printing and book-binding as well as training in photography and interior design. The cadets are also trained in countryside preservation, first-aid, crowd-control psychology, road safety, rock climbing, orienteering, expeditions and trekking. They are encouraged to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. In 1991, one cadet qualified for the Gold Award, 16 for Silver Awards and 60 for Bronze Awards. At the age of 18, the cadets leave the corps and may join the Adult Services.

Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force

The Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force (RHKAAF), based at Hong Kong International Airport, provides a variety of flying services for the government. It operates a fleet of 15 aircraft: two twin-engined Beech Super King Airs, a Britten-Norman Islander, four Slingsby Firefly trainers and eight Sikorsky helicopters. With an establishment of 214 permanent staff and 206 volunteers comprising aircrew, engineers and administrative staff, the RHKAAF can operate round-the-clock for seven days a week during an emergency. Over 4 270 hours were flown during the year.

In 1991, the RHKAAF responded to 340 requests for emergency medical evacuation and rescues. Some of these came from the local fleet of about 5 000 fishing boats, many of which now have high-frequency radios enabling them to call for assistance when necessary. A total of 125 search and rescue operations were carried out, involving helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. On August 15, 1991, the RHKAAF carried out a major sea search and rescue operation, in conjunction with other rescue agencies, when an offshore oilfield barge sank in stormy conditions caused by Typhoon Fred. Members of the RHKAAF successfully rescued 35 survivors from the rough sea and airlifted them to safety.