New Civil Aid Service Headquarters officially opened (with photos)
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    The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, today (August 11) unveiled a memorial plaque to mark the opening of the new Civil Aid Service (CAS) Headquarters in Yau Ma Tei.

     Mr Tsang, accompanied by the Commissioner of CAS, Dr Norman Leung Nai-pang, toured the CAS Central Command Centre and watched various demonstrations featuring basic emergency rescue procedures, a rescue operation from height, stretcher lowering and sports climbing skills.

     Dr Leung said the new headquarters signified a milestone in the history of CAS.

     "The new headquarters with its modern facilities will give an impetus to the CAS and the morale of our members," he said.

     "CAS will continue its commitment to serve the community and provide emergency services in the years ahead," Dr Leung said.

     The eight-storey headquarters, with a construction floor area of 11,250 square metres, is located at 8 To Wah Road, Yau Ma Tei. It provides the service with modern training, operational and command facilities. In future, all CAS operational training will be centralised to achieve better co-ordination and efficiency.

     One of the highlights of the new headquarters is the 20-metre high sports climbing and tactical rescue facility, which offers a purpose-built training environment for the CAS Mountain Search and Rescue Companies.

     The debris pile simulating disaster sites provides field practice for rescuers' training. In addition, an advanced central command centre will help improve the efficiency of command and control of manpower deployment during emergency operations.

     The new CAS headquarters replaces CAS' former headquarters in Causeway Bay, its Kowloon Training Centre in Mong Kok and the Cadet Training Centre in Hung Hom.

Ends/Friday, August 11, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:26

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