ENG-1993 — Page 354

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PUBLIC ORDER

have been involved in refugee management since 1975 and continuously since 1988. This work will continue for the foreseeable future.

Service Training

Service training is divided into centralised courses and unit training, both designed to promote and maintain the operational efficiency of the CAS. The centralised courses in 1993-94 embrace a wide variety of subjects. In addition to normal counter-disaster courses, first aid, fire-fighting and conventional rescue instruction have been included.

Regular overseas training programmes are organised for both permanent training staff and volunteer officers. In 1993, one officer joined a Royal Air Force expedition to Nepal, and two officers attended disaster management courses at the Australian Emergency Management Institute in Melbourne. A CAS delegation visited Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Service establishments in the United Kingdom, to explore advanced mountain rescue techniques and training facilities. A contingent of senior CAS officers was invited to visit the civil defence organisation in Guangzhou, China, in November to study its disaster management and exchange experiences and views on related subjects.

Cadet Corps

The Cadet Corps comprises 24 all-boy units, three all-girl units and five mixed units throughout the territory. Cadets join up when they are aged between 12 to 15 years, and undertake a series of training courses. Their tuition includes training in basic mechanical and electrical engineering, carpentry and fibre-glass moulding, printing and book-binding, as well as 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 1993, six cadets qualified for the gold award, 18 for the silver and 80 for the bronze awards. At 18, the cadets leave the corps and may join the adult voluntary services.

Government Flying Service

The Government Flying Service (GFS) superseded the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force on April 1, carrying forward an establishment of 254 permanent staff comprising aircrew, groundcrew and administrators. The GFS is a full-time disciplined service, operating in accordance with civil aviation rules. Apart from providing flying services to support the work of various government departments and agencies, the GFS also provides a 24-hour emergency air ambulance and search and rescue service.

The GFS operates a fleet of 16 aircraft: two twin-engined Beech Super King Airs, four Slingsby Firefly trainers, eight Sikorsky S-76 helicopters and two Sikorsky S-70 heli- copters (Black Hawks). In 1993, over 6 000 hours were flown. A total of 984 requests for emergency medical evacuation and rescue were received. Some of these came from the local fishing fleet of about 5 000 boats, many of which now have high-frequency radios and portable telephones, enabling them to call for assistance when necessary. Altogether, 114 search and rescue operations were carried out, involving both helicopters and aeroplanes.

The rescue operation during Typhoon Koryn, on June 27, stood out as an outstanding example of its type. During the operation, GFS aircrews had to work under winds of more than 80 knots but in concert with RAF helicopter crews - succeeded in saving 24 lives