ENG-1998 — Page 391

PUBLIC ORDER

Flood Rescue

In the past few years, CAS has often been asked to help in flood rescue operations particularly in the New Territories. Four CAS Flood Rescue Teams performed this role. To meet the demand for service, two additional flood rescue teams were established in August 1998 in the northern and western New Territories.

Cadet Corps

The Cadet Corps is under the CAS Youth Wing. It has an establishment of 23 all- male units, six all-female units and three mixed units. Cadets are recruited from the 12 to 16 age group. They are provided with recreational activities and a wide range of discipline and skills training including foot drill, casualty handling, light rescue, basic mechanical and electrical engineering, canoe-building and fibreglass moulding, printing and book-binding, carpentry and interior design. They are also trained in countryside preservation, crowd control, rock climbing, orienteering and expeditions. Cadets over 14 years old are encouraged to perform rural area patrolling, crowd control and community services.

Government Flying Service

The Government Flying Service (GFS) is a disciplined service providing flying support to departments and agencies of the HKSAR Government. It also directly supports the community by offering a 24-hour air ambulance and Search and Rescue service.

The GFS operates a fleet of 11 aircraft: six Sikorsky S-76 and three S-70 (Black Hawk) helicopters. The two Beech Super King Air aeroplanes were replaced by one Jetstream J-41 aeroplane in December 1998 with another due in January 1999. During the year, the GFS flew a total of 7 082 hours in support of its clients and in training for the complex roles undertaken. The organisation is staffed by 177 disciplined and 66 general grade personnel. The GFS is based at Chek Lap Kok where it carries out all of its maintenance work.

The GFS undertakes a variety of roles which include supporting the Hong Kong Police Force in law enforcement duties, assisting the Fire Services Department by water-bombing hill fires with underslung fire buckets, and assisting the Lands Department in aerial mapping and survey. In 1998, the GFS also transported 1 472 patients to hospital by helicopter, assisted in 195 Search and Rescue operations and flew approximately 15 935 government officers and official visitors in the course of their duties.

The pilot localisation scheme continues to progress well. The department now has 12 qualified local helicopter captains and nine qualified local aeroplane captains. Another seven pilots are undergoing training.

311