The Civil Aid Service (CAS) today (June 7) organised an exercise codenamed "Gemini" at Wan Tuk Creek on Lantau Island and the Penny's Bay Community Isolation Facility, mobilising more than 300 members. The aim is to strengthen the units' emergency response, mobilisation, communication and co-ordination capabilities in situations of extreme weather, emergency rescue or infectious disease incidents, and further improve its command and control as well as operational efficiency when handling incidents.

     The exercise simulated a super typhoon affecting Hong Kong, with CAS officers and members from operational, administrative and support units ordered to assist rescue operations. Scenarios included typhoon and flood rescues, clearing fallen trees, transporting casualties, and infection control measures for sudden infectious disease incidents. These simulations test and evaluate the units' efficiency and effectiveness in command and control, rescue techniques, communications, handling casualties and logistical support.

     In addition to simulating accidents that may occur during a typhoon, the exercise also featured multiple scenarios, such as mountain rescues, emergency rescues, rescuing residents trapped by flooding, fallen trees blocking roads and handling casualties, triage cases and evacuating disaster victims. During the exercise, CAS rescue teams swiftly set up casualty collection stations and utilised rescue technologies such as drones and robotic dogs, and for the first time, used an electric outboard inflatable rubber boat and self-contained breathing apparatus, ensuring rescue operations could be conducted effectively and quickly.

     The CAS hopes that by simulating different disaster situations, it can effectively assess members' rescue skill levels and their adaptability to conduct emergency tasks. In 2025, the CAS was deployed 28 times due to typhoon and extreme weather, an increase over the nine deployments in 2024. In 2025, there were 1 366 participants, more than the 725 participants in 2024.

     The CAS will continue to strengthen preparedness for extreme weather, emergency rescue and infectious disease incidents, aiming to safeguard the lives and property of citizens. 

Ends/Sunday, June 7, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:15

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