SCDF Parade and Singapore-Global Firefighters and Paramedics Challenge – Speech by Mr Goh Pei Ming, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Social and Family Development

His Excellency, Léon Gloden, Minister for Home Affairs for Luxembourg,

Commissioner Eric Yap, Commissioner, Singapore Civil Defence Force,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

SCDF officers on parade today,

Introduction

1. A very good morning to everyone. I am very honoured to join everyone here today at the SCDF Parade and the Singapore-Global Firefighters & Paramedics Challenge, or SGFPC.

2. The annual SCDF Parade affirms the dedication of all SCDF personnel, and recognises those who have supported in this lifesaving mission.

3. Alongside SCDF officers and NSmen, we are also joined by community partners and volunteers – the Civil Defence Lionhearter Clubs, the National Civil Defence Cadet Corps, and our Community First Responders.

4. Together, they embody the collective strength of our nation’s lifesavers.

SCDF’s Achievements

5. In 2024, the SCDF responded to about 245,000 Emergency Medical Services calls, averaging around 670 calls a day. This is well above pre-COVID levels. Meanwhile, fire incidents increased slightly by 1.8% to 1,990 calls in 2024.

6. The commitment of all SCDF officers, including their full-time National Servicemen and Operationally NSmen, in providing emergency services to our public cannot be understated.

7. As SCDF officers continue to give their utmost, I am heartened to note that SCDF has achieved significant milestones over the past year.

8. The SCDF made history by participating for the first time in this year’s National Day Parade with a Guard of Honour (GOH) contingent. Marching alongside the Singapore Armed Forces and the Singapore Police Force, 62 SCDF personnel exemplified unity, discipline and precision. This historic participation underscored SCDF’s vital contributions in our nation’s Total Defence, and affirmed our unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and keeping Singapore and Singaporeans safe every day.

9. In the same month, SCDF successfully attained reclassification as a Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team following a four-day UN INSARAG External Reclassification assessment. This included an intensive 36-hour operational exercise covering various complex USAR scenarios.

10. Now, SCDF’s Operation Lionheart contingent was the first in Asia-Pacific to achieve the ‘Heavy’ classification in 2008, with subsequent reclassifications in 2013, 2018 and now again, in 2025. This reclassification validates SCDF’s capability to conduct complex USAR operations in the aftermath of major disasters, including operating round-the-clock at two separate disaster sites concurrently for up to ten days.

11. SCDF’s lifesaving commitment extends well beyond Singapore. To date, SCDF has been deployed to 21 overseas missions.

12. Just March this year, an 80-member Operation Lionheart contingent was deployed to Myanmar in the aftermath of an earthquake. Working with the local authorities, the contingent conducted search and rescue operations at various disaster sites, and this included an eight-hour joint rescue operation that successfully rescued a live casualty. Over the 11-day mission, the team searched 26 different sites, provided medical aid to approximately 130 residents, and distributed essential lifesaving supplies.

13. The 21 overseas rescue missions SCDF has undertaken to date are captured in a recently launched book titled “Operation Lionheart – SCDF’s 35 Years of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Beyond Singapore”.

14. We are proud and humbled by the contributions of all our SCDF officers to those missions. Your hard work has also enabled Singapore to extend a much appreciated helping hand to our friends in times of need, furthering both humanitarian and diplomatic ends, and of course, flying our flag high. So, to all our SCDF officers, past and present, thank you very much. May I ask the audience to join me in applauding all our SCDF officers for their services.

Importance of International Partnerships

15. International partnerships are essential to addressing shared challenges. They enable knowledge sharing, resource pooling, and mutual learning that strengthen collective resilience. The SCDF has taken a proactive role in fostering such partnerships through a series of key international engagements.

16. In August, SCDF hosted the 10th ASEAN Strategic Policy Dialogue on Disaster Management, or SPDDM. This annual platform brings together National Disaster Management Organisations from all ASEAN member states, dialogue partners and academia to exchange perspectives on disaster management policies and strategies for our region.

17. SCDF is also supporting the inaugural Singapore-International Disaster and Emergency Management Expo, or SIDEX 2025, which is currently being held next door at Expo Hall 3. This event is organised by the Co-operative of SCDF Employees Ltd, or COSEM, and SIDEX brings together fire chiefs, leaders and experts from all around the world, to share insights and best practices in disaster preparedness and response.

18. Now held in conjunction with the SIDEX is the highly anticipated Singapore-Global Firefighters and Paramedics Challenge (SGFPC), which will take place today, right after this parade.

19. This year, we warmly welcome 19 international teams who will be competing alongside our local emergency responders. This challenge finals will feature the spectacular Braveheart Challenge and the Rip-It-Off Road Traffic Accident challenge.

20. But beyond testing the skills and teamwork of participants, this challenge serves to strengthen bonds, as well as the interoperability within our global firefighting and rescue fraternity, and also to foster camaraderie amidst our emergency responders who are dedicated to this important mission of lifesaving.

Enhancing Operational Response and Capabilities

Launch of Amphibious Fire and Rescue Vehicle

21. As the world faces an increasingly complex operating landscape, Singapore must continue to strengthen our resilience, our preparedness. Throughout the years, SCDF has steadily enhanced its operational response and capabilities through innovation and technology.

22. Just two days ago, SCDF launched the Amphibious Fire and Rescue Vehicle, or the AFRV, at the SIDEX Opening Ceremony. This AFRV enhances SCDF’s firefighting and rescue capabilities in inland water bodies. It’s equipped with an in-built water monitor to mitigate small vessel fires, and it also enables responders to conduct water surface searches and deploy an inflatable life raft for casualties. A total of four units of this AFRV will be deployed in selected fire stations by the second quarter next year.

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics

23. SCDF is also leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics to transform its operations. Let me share three examples.

24. First, the Targeted On-site Inspection Tool, or the TOIT, rolled out in April, uses predictive modelling capabilities to identify premises with higher propensity for fire safety violations. This enables targeted inspections and optimal use of enforcement resources to help prevent fires that may arise from such fire safety violations.

25. Second, the Dynamic Resource Optimisation platform. It leverages data analytics to analyse historical and real-time data on emergency medical incidents. Using this, SCDF can identify potential hotspots and deploy ambulances where they are needed most.

26. This data driven approach underpins the third example, the Dynamic Deployment Pod, or the DDP. This is a custom-built mobile pod that functions as a temporary base for emergency medical services crew, and it is designed to complement existing fire stations and ambulance deployment points. This enhances the overall deployment mobility and response time for emergency medical services.

27. This DDP was trialled at Jurong Lake Gardens in collaboration with NParks in February, and was relocated earlier this month to Toa Payoh Public Library in partnership with the National Library Board.

28. Following the DDP’s operational trial which will conclude early next year, SCDF plans to progressively deploy 10 additional DDPs in the coming years to better serve our community amidst rising emergency medical services demand.

Recognising Our People, Partners and the Community

29. At the heart of SCDF's success are its people, partners, and the community. Their contributions have enabled SCDF to uphold its mission of protecting and saving lives and property.

Special Thanks to Community First Responders

30. On this note, I would like to give a shoutout to our Community First Responders, or CFRs. As of 30 September 2025, nearly 237,000 Community First Responders have registered with SCDF.

31. Our responders have attended to over 51,000 cases, including more than 11,500 minor fires and 39,500 cardiac arrests cases, with 117 lives successfully saved. My heartfelt thanks go to all CFRs, for their unwavering commitment and community spirit in safeguarding lives and property.

32. The new myResponder app which was launched last year introduced innovative features, such as selecting one’s mode of response, by foot, bicycle, or vehicle. It also enables our responders to receive live guidance from the SCDF Ops Centre via video call and text.

33. I strongly urge everyone who are here to sign up to register yourself as a Community First Responder through the app, and be part of our national nation of lifesavers.

Strategic Partners and the Distinguished Partners Award

34. Now later today, we will be giving out awards to honour 65 officers and community partners for their exceptional contributions to our SCDF. These awards recognise the spirit of excellence and collaboration that drives Our Lifesaving Force.

35. In particular, SCDF will confer five Distinguished Partners Awards and 19 Strategic Awards in recognition of our partners’ invaluable contributions.

36. The newly introduced Distinguished Partners Award honours organisations that have demonstrated long-term commitment to collaborate with the SCDF and to contribute to its lifesaving mission.

37. Partners who have achieved the five Strategic Partners Awards over ten years will qualify for this distinction. The People's Association's Emergency Preparedness Division exemplifies this dedication through its tireless efforts to promote fire prevention and emergency preparedness amongst our community.

38. Beyond training volunteers who assist residents during emergencies, this division has also supported the installation of AEDs and fire extinguishers across HDB blocks, further strengthening community resilience and readiness.

Conclusion

39. In closing, let me reiterate that building a safer Singapore is a collective responsibility. Through innovation, collaboration, and dedication of all our responders, partners and community, SCDF will continue to strengthen our nation’s emergency readiness and response.

40. With this, I wish everyone an enjoyable Parade and an exciting afternoon at the SGFPC. Thank you very much.