How SCDF will Strengthen its Emergency Response Capabilities

Question:

Mr Lee Hong Chuang: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs with the recent increase in fire outbreaks, how will SCDF strengthen its capabilities in emergency response and enhance community engagement by introducing some basic fire fighting devices within the community.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs:

1.  The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) conducts regular outreach to equip residents with the capabilities to deal with fires. Through the SCDF’s Responder Plus Programme, residents are offered free hands-on training on the use of fire extinguishers, CPR and AEDs. These emergency preparedness skills are also publicised as part of the SGSecure national movement. In addition, the SCDF and the People’s Association’s Community Emergency and Engagement Committees continue to regularly conduct block evacuation exercises.

2. Under a joint initiative with Temasek Foundation, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) and Town Councils, SCDF has progressively installed fire extinguishers at Lifesavers’ Emergency Points (LEPs) since October 2023. These fire extinguishers are co-located with existing automated external defibrillators at the lift lobbies of one in every two residential HDB blocks. To date, more than 5,000 LEPs have been set up, which is more than 90% of all targeted HDB blocks. We aim to complete the roll out by 2028.