Civil Aid Service holds 89th Recruits Passing-out Parade (with photos)
The Civil Aid Service (CAS) held the 89th Recruits Passing-out Parade at its headquarters today (December 15). The parade was reviewed by the Controller of the Government Flying Service (GFS), Captain West Wu.
Speaking at the Parade, Captain Wu said that the CAS had been working closely with the GFS over the years. Members of the CAS Mountain Search and Rescue Company (MSaR) were on duty at the headquarters and the Kai Tak Division of the GFS on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. When members of public encountered hiking accidents, the crewmen of the GFS, together with CAS MSaR members, would head to the site swiftly in a helicopter to provide appropriate assistance. Every year, the CAS also works with other government departments, including the GFS and other organisations, to organise the Mountaineering Safety Promotion Day to advocate mountaineering safety to the public. The number of cases of requests for assistance by hikers has decreased from over 1 000 in 2022 to about 400 in the third quarter of this year. From this, it can be seen that the CAS has spared no efforts in enhancing mountaineering safety awareness.
Captain Wu said that the CAS also provides rescue services. For instance, during Typhoons Yagi and Toraji, the CAS deployed more than 200 personnel to help members of the public in need in various districts. Recently, under the combined effects of a spring tide and Typhoon Man-yi, flooding took place in various parts of the territory. CAS members provided assistance to the public in Sha Tau Kok, Tai O and Lei Yue Mun. In addition, the CAS deploys more than 100 people every weekend to the Kai Tak Sports Park to participate in drills and perform crowd management duties in test events, in preparation for the 15th National Games next year.
Captain Wu said that the CAS attaches great importance to the development of national security. In recent years, the CAS has been expanding the scope of youth exchange activities, and has incorporated visits to the National Security Exhibition Gallery into the training programmes for new recruits in order to strengthen their sense of belonging to the country.
Captain Wu said that loving the motherland and Hong Kong is the core spirit of the community and an essential foundation for the steadfast and successful implementation of the "one country, two systems" arrangement. He added that the graduates' strong commitment to serving Hong Kong is indispensable to maintaining the community's prosperity and stability, safeguarding national security and upholding the "one country, two system" principle. He encouraged graduates to learn from their experiences, face challenges with determination, stay true to their original aspirations, and move forward. He firmly believes that they will unite, work hard, and grow stronger together, upholding the CAS pledge of "Provide Emergency Relief, Serve the Community" to wholeheartedly serve the public.
Captain Wu presented awards to outstanding recruits at the ceremony. The graduates also performed a fire fighting and a rescue demonstration to showcase their learning outcomes.
A total of 52 recruits from diverse backgrounds of society were reviewed at the parade. The CAS Recruit Training Certificate Programme has been recognised under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework as meeting the accreditation standards at Level 3 by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications. Graduates will be awarded the Certificate in Auxiliary Forces Basic Training (Civil Defence). The graduates will apply their acquired knowledge and skills to serve society.
Recruitment of CAS Grade IV Officers and Grade I Members is open for application throughout the year. Recruitment details and application forms are available on the CAS website (www.cas.gov.hk/eng/adult_recruitment.html).
