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Auxiliary Medical Service English
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The duties of AMS can be divided into emergency and general duties. In times
of emergency and natural disaster, AMS will supplement the medical and health
services by providing triage/treatment to the injured on the spot, to convey
casualties to hospitals, and to care for patients at both acute and convalescent
hospitals. With its teams of uniformed members trained in ambulance manning
techniques and first aid, AMS also reinforces the regular ambulance services
and provides first aid coverage at public functions. Mobilization Mobilization of AMS is normally initiated by the Senior Operations and Training Officer (Operations) upon receiving requests. However, direct contact with any volunteer commander can also be made at any time for assistance. Some of the Headquarters staff are also available through mobile telephones for the purpose of channeling such messages for mobilizing the AMS. The Headquarters Control Room will be set up and manned during emergencies and whenever Typhoon Signal No. 8 has been hoisted. Requests for call out can also be referred from the Fire Services Communication Centre or the Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre. Emergency Duties Upon the hoisting of Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above, AMS members will report to Fire Services Department Ambulance Depots/Stations to set up first aid coverage for the general public in case of need. AMS will also augment the regular ambulance service by providing an additional ambulance crew at various designated Ambulance Depots/Stations. In the unlikely event of any nuclear accident, the AMS is also charged with the responsibility of manning monitoring centres and scanning points for decontamination process/operations under nuclear emergency contingency plans. Non-emergency Ambulance Transfer Service AMS has a fleet of six non-emergency ambulances providing ambulance transfer service to patients of Department of Health, Social Welfare Department and private hospitals. The non-emergency ambulance transfer service provides services from Monday to Sunday from 0800 hours to 1800 hours including of public holidays. Supplies and Appliances As part of the contingency scheme for AMS operations, emergency stores have been stockpiled at various government clinics and hospitals. These supplies are stored in over some 30 locations in both urban and rural areas for easy retrieval. Essential items range from a simple bandage to complicated surgical instruments for an operation theatre; from simple feeding utensils to large-scale equipment for a casualty hospital converted from a school in the vicinity of a disaster. General Duties AMS also provides a variety of general services for the community such as providing first aid coverage for community events like the Walks for Million, Fireworks Display and manning first-aid posts at the country park areas during weekends and public holidays. The teaching and validating of first aid skills for civil servants and other employees in large organizations are normal duties of the AMS. The first aid qualifications issued by AMS are recognized under the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance. Currently, members of the AMS are assisting the Department of Health in running all methadone clinics. Their duties include administration, nursing, accounting, shroffing, dispensing and other related clinical tasks. Training Training of recruits is conducted regularly to qualify those who newly join as 'First Aiders',which equip them with the basic skills and learn the requirements of the AMS. On completion of such training, members will be posted to various sub-units where they will receive further advanced training. Members also receive training on casualty handling, nursing, life-saving and practical sessions in hospital wards and Accident and Emergency Departments. They are also given training on leadership, supervisory techniques and management. Throughout their training curriculum, great emphasis is placed on the spirit of their serving the community. Special training on duties relating to disaster management is conducted through inter-departmental seminars and exchanges of information with disaster management authorities at international level. Some AMS personnel have been sent to overseas disaster management institutions to attend such courses. Centralized training is mostly conducted at the training centres located at Ho Man Tin, Sai Wan Ho, Tsuen Wan and Shek Kip Mei while regular sub-unit training in school facilities in the Territory. Rescue training is conducted in the Tsam Chuk Wan Training Centre (Sea) and Tsuen Wan Camp (Land). |