Auxiliary Medical Service
醫療輔助隊 | |
AMS Crest | |
Agency overview | |
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Formed | 1950 |
Jurisdiction | Hong Kong |
Headquarters | 81 Princess Margaret Road, Homantin |
Employees | 4,418 |
Annual budget | $72.0m (Estimate 2012-13) |
Minister responsible |
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Agency executives |
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Website | http://www.ams.gov.hk |
Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS) (Chinese: 醫療輔助隊) is a well-trained, committed voluntary medical and health services provider in Hong Kong. Its mission is to supply effectively and efficiently regular services to maintain the health and well-being of people in Hong Kong.
Major events
AMS was officially formed in 1950 with 2000 volunteers. As of 2007, number of volunteers grown to 4418.[1] It was involved in major accidents and events in Hong Kong like the Shek Kip Mei fire in 1953, Typhoon Wendy in 1962 and landslides caused by heavy rainstorms in 1972. It also served during SARS in Hong Kong in 2003 and 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. Normally, it sends out volunteers to fireworks display, marathon, and major events.
In 1983, AMS became an independent government operation branch under the Security Department of the Government Secretariat.
A public hotline for enquiry about the services of AMS and a Non-Emergency Ambulance Transport team were set up in 1995 and 1996 respectively. The Youth Ambassador Scheme has also been implemented in 1997 with the objectives to encourage young people to have a healthy lifestyle and promote a sense of civic duties.
Fleet
A list of vehicles used in the past and present:
Past Fleets
- Land Rover Defender ambulances
- Mercedes-Benz E-310 ambulances
- Honda CBX750 motorcycle
- BMW R850RT motorcycle
Present Fleets
- Mercedes-Benz 516CDI ambulance
- Toyota Coaster ambulance
- BMW R900RT motorcycle
- Toyota Hiace Mobile Command Post (MCP)
- Merida Mountain Bike (CRU)
Organisation
Operations:
- Wing 1
- Wing 2
Wing are further divided into operating Regions:
- Hong Kong Island
- Kowloon East
- Kowloon West
- New Territories East
- New Territories West
Staff: 3,300 uniformed members
Crest
The current crest of the force was adopted in 1997 to replace most of the colonial symbols on the old crest (c. 1950):
- St Edward's Crown replace with Bauhinia
- Laurel wreath retained but wording AMS replaced with "醫療輔助隊"
- Motto with wording "Hong Kong" replaced with "Auxiliary Medical Services"
Source: Auxiliary Medical Service (Hong Kong)
References
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Auxiliary Medical Service. |