The Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS) is a government-financed volunteer organisation established under the Auxiliary Medical Service Ordinance. Its main role is to augment regular medical, health and ambulance services during emergency and to supplement such services in non-emergency situations. The AMS has an establishment of 4 418 volunteer members, who come from all walks of life. The Director of Health is the Commissioner of the AMS, and is responsible to the Chief Executive for the efficient operation of the Service, which has an establishment of 99 civil servants.

With the experience gained in combating SARS in Hong Kong in 2003, the AMS has trained up over 1 000 members in the control of infectious diseases, which is a preventive measure for any outbreak of epidemic or major infectious diseases in Hong Kong. The AMS also set up a Health Protection Team with the strength of about 500 members to support the Centre for Health Protection at the Department of Health by manning telephone hotlines and tracing of epidemiological infectious persons during any outbreak of infectious diseases or public health emergencies. Members of the Health Protection Team also assist in promoting community health education to the public.

Under the Volunteer Service Programme, a first aid bicycle team is deployed to provide first aid coverage on the 11-kilometre cycling track between Tai Wai and Tai Po and to man the First Aid Posts located in Ma On Shan, Sha Tin and Tai Po along the cycling tracks during weekends and public holidays. These first aid teams can treat most injured cyclists on the spot within minutes, making it unnecessary for injured persons to be taken to hospitals by ambulance. Instructors from the Volunteer Service Programme are also deployed to conduct health education seminars for teachers, parents and students of the Sha Tin District with a view to enhancing first aid knowledge and skills in schools.

In other activities, the AMS assists the Education and Manpower Bureau in running the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme that encompasses various training modules such as basic first aid skills, physical fitness training and team building. In 2004, 16 courses were organised and 334 youngsters completed the training programme.