Innovating to Keep Singapore Safe and Secure

Our Home Team works round-the-clock to keep Singapore safe and secure amidst an increasingly complex operating landscape.

The Home Team is constantly innovating to prepare ourselves against homeland security threats, to respond to safety challenges and to serve the public better. Here are some recent examples of innovation projects from the Home Team.

Find out how the Home Team leverages technological innovations and strong partnerships with the community to deal with a hit-and-run incident effectively.

This video was originally shown in Home Tomorrow as part of The Future of Us Exhibition. Home Tomorrow showcased ideas that we have collected from over 100 agencies. It also drew ideas from 15,000 contributions from Singaporeans from all walks of life. For more of such videos, do visit the Future of Us YouTube channel.

Polcam 2.0

Following the success of Polcam 1.0, the Police will extend the coverage of Police cameras beyond HDB blocks and MSCPs to other public areas such as town centres and pedestrian walkways. Police are developing and refining video analytics capabilities that will automate the analysis of footage from these cameras, and flag out incidents of interest.

i-Witness

iwitness

The community plays a vital role in the fight against crime and terrorism. In today's operating environment and security climate, the use of technology is critical given the transnational dimension of certain crimes and the threat of a terrorist attack in Singapore. Crowd-sourced video and photo information from members of the public can augment the Police's investigations into crimes and its tactical response to, and subsequent investigation of, a terrorist attack.

i-Witness is a new one-stop online platform for the public to provide the Police with information on crimes, traffic offences and security crises. Members of the public will be able to submit text and multimedia files (i.e. photos/videos) directly to i-Witness online, or through the revamped Police@SG mobile appusing their smartphones. Members of the public can look forward to the following enhancements:

Simple and intuitive "Point, Shoot & Send" submission of information, leveraging the in-built camera features of mobile devices
Ability to submit up to two multimedia files of unlimited size

Exoskeleton

SCDF is always at the forefront of exploring the latest state-of-the-art technology to push the boundaries of operational capabilities. While the exoskeleton technology is still at its nascent stage of development, it promises far reaching improvements to our frontline operations. If successful, the SCDF will possibly be the first in the global fire-fighting fraternity to harness the scientific field of powered exoskeletons in our operations.

An exoskeleton is typically a wearable mobile machine powered by motors and servos. This will substantially increase the strength and endurance of the wearers while carrying out their tasks.

SCDF, together with the Ministry of Home Affairs, are jointly developing exoskeleton capabilities to enhance our responders’ performance in firefighting, rescue and medical response.

Mass Decontamination Vehicle (MDV)

The Mass Decontamination Vehicle (MDV) is an enhanced version of the existing Personnel Decontamination Vehicle (PDV). The PDV was principally designed for use in Hazardous Materials (HazMat) incidents to carry out the mass decontamination of people.

The MDV also has two additional functions when compared to the PDV:

i) casualty conveyance (up to 12 casualties);

ii) transportation of personnel and equipment, which gives it the flexibility of being deployed to support major operations other than a HazMat incident.

The MDV also allows for faster and higher capacity decontamination of casualties who are exposed to HazMat through the adaptation of design intuitiveness with advanced technology.

Fire & Rescue Operations Support Tender (FROST)

The Fire & Rescue Operations Support Tender or FROST is an innovative solution which functionally integrates two of SCDF’s primary frontline support vehicles, the Breathing Apparatus Tender (BAT) and the Damage Control Tender (DCT).

The FROST provides a holistic suite of support functions and equipment including the following:

a) Resupply of breathing apparatus sets (available in the BAT)

b) Search equipment (available in the BAT)

c) Ventilation equipment (available in the DCT)

d) Salvage and damage control equipment (available in the DCT)

e) Additional storage space by capitalising its rooftop space (Not previously available in the BAT and DCT).

The FROST combines the BAT and DCT into a single platform to effectively double the SCDF’s frontline support capability while retaining a crew composition of four personnel. Previously, eight personnel were required to operate the two separate vehicles.

Unmanned Firefighting Machine (UFM)

The UFM is a remote-controlled robot which helps the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) put out fires, especially those occurring in large warehouses, factories, refineries and underground facilities. The UFM is able to navigate over difficult terrains and clear bulky obstacles in its path. The UFM has been successfully deployed to fight warehouse and factory fires that had occurred in Tuas, Sungei Kadut and Fan Yoong Road. With the UFM, more lives and property can be saved from devastating fires.

Found Property Drop-Box

The Found Property Drop-Box is an automated deposit system developed by the Singapore Police Force (SPF), which allows members of the public to deposit items found at anytime of the day. It has a touch screen and polymer bag dispenser for members of the public to self-register and deposit items that they find into a secure box. The Found Property Drop-Box was first launched at the West Coast, Radin Mas and Marsiling Neighbourhood Police Posts (NPPs) in December 2013 and will be launched at the other NPPs in time.

Dispatcher-Assisted CPR

When someone suffers from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), his/her chances for survival falls by 7-10% with every passing minute. Hence, it is crucial to provide treatment immediately and bystanders are usually in the best position to give immediate assistance. To boost the survival rate of SCA victims, the SCDF has implemented an innovative initiative called the Dispatcher-Assisted CPR which provides over-the-phone coaching to 995 callers to perform ad hoc chest compressions on SCA victims. It increases the chances of reviving and saving the victim while the ambulance rushes to the scene.

Security Awareness For Everyone (SAFE) Programme

The Home Team collaborates with the education fraternity in search of new ideas and innovations under the SAFE Programme. Students develop prototypes and concept proposals to tackle safety and security challenges in Singapore. Viable projects may even be shortlisted for further development and real-life implementation in the Home Team. Some of these trial prototypes and draft proposals are featured below.

Speed Photofit

A mobile app that allows eyewitnesses of a crime to quickly sketch a picture of a suspect. The sketch would then be routed to the Police for follow-up action and used to alert the people nearby to keep a look out for the suspect.

AIRemote

A mobile app which safeguards Android mobile devices against theft and misplacement. It allows the remote SMS encryption of personal files stored within lost devices and can track the device using surrounding Wi-Fi access points.

Portable Accident Shield Screen

This screen can be quickly assembled by the Traffic Police to quickly assemble a screen to shield an accident site. It discourages curious drivers from slowing down to observe the scene, which in turn prevents unnecessary traffic jams and accidents from occurring.

To learn more about the SAFE Programme, email MHA_SAFE_Programme@mha.gov.sg.