Reflections from the Home Team (Part 1): The Future Firefighter and The Tech Amplifier

PHOTOS AND GRAPHIC: Melody Ho and Tang Ying Hui

The Home Team’s transformation journey has been marked by significant milestones. Two officers – a Full-Time National Serviceman (NSF) in the first Guard of Honour (GOH) contingent from Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and an officer among the first to join Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) – reflect on their experiences and share their vision for the Home Team’s future.

Lance Corporal (LCP) Zhu Zhan Yi Wilber, SCDF. PHOTO: Tang Ying Hui

Firefighter of the Future 

LCP Zhu Zhan Yi Wilber participated in the inaugural SCDF Guard of Honour (GOH) contingent for this year’s National Day Parade (NDP) when he was an NSF trainee in the Firefighter Course. With SCDF forming a GOH contingent for the first time, Wilber described a great sense of excitement at representing SCDF on such an occasion.  

“I feel an immense sense of pride and joy in being selected for this segment, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to represent SCDF on this national stage.”

The SCDF Guard of Honour represents the long-standing contributions of SCDF to Singapore's Total Defence. PHOTO: Melody Ho

Q: How has your NSF journey shaped you?

LCP Wilber: I wasn't as fit as I should be initially, but SCDF's structured training programme helped me adapt quickly. I pushed myself beyond my comfort zone and developed the mental resilience to persevere through the physical trainings. Alongside picking up valuable lifesaving skills like performing CPR, I've developed strong teamwork and communication through working in sections with fellow trainees.

What has surprised me most is the reliability of the Home Team and the high level of respect and trust they've earned from Singaporeans. It's truly inspiring to witness the public's confidence in our ability to ensure their safety and security. Our actions in SCDF are crucial in ensuring the safety and security of Singapore, and by upholding them, we can contribute to building a stronger, more connected nation.

LCP Wilber (third from right) and the SCDF GOH contingent underwent over four months of training for the NDP parade. PHOTO: Melody Ho

Q: What was it like to be part of this historic milestone as SCDF's first Guard of Honour contingent?

LCP Wilber: Before enlisting, I never imagined I would have the opportunity to be part of something like this. It was my first time performing for such a large audience, and the energy and enthusiasm were truly overwhelming.

Training for the NDP has been a truly interesting and new experience for me. Learning to handle firearms and adhere to the specific protocols has been a unique and engaging challenge. The experience of marching into the parade with the grandstands filled with cheering and clapping crowds will stay with me for a long time.

LCP Wilber (centre) handling the SAR21 rifle during the Feu de joie (Fire of Joy) segment in NDP. PHOTO: Melody Ho

Q: As a young Home Team officer, how do you envision building a stronger and more connected Singapore for the future?

LCP Wilber: I believe that forging strong bonds through community work is essential to realising SG60's vision of a stronger Singapore. By proactively engaging with the public, we can build bonds and a sense of shared responsibility for our nation's well-being.

As an SCDF officer, I aspire to mentor younger officers, fostering leadership skills while supporting their physical, mental and emotional growth. 

Amplifying the Home Team’s Tech Capabilities

Lee Guoming. PHOTO: Tang Ying Hui

Lee Guoming saw his move from the Defence Science and Technology Agency to the Ministry of Home Affairs as a natural progression. “I had a taste of introducing capabilities to protect against external threats, so I thought coming over would be a good complement to my career.”

Since 2012, Guoming has been at the forefront of the Home Team’s technological advancement. Starting at the Office of the Chief Science and Technology Officer (OCSTO), he was involved in many projects, such as the Multi-Biometric Enrolment System for Singapore Prison Service, the Investigation Officer E-Diary for Central Narcotics Bureau and the Mobile Classroom VR Use-of-Force Training for Singapore Police Force.

In HTX, he led the Aerial Systems team under the Robotics, Automation & Unmanned Systems Centre of Expertise before he was seconded to the Smart Nation Digital Government Office, where he led the Smart City Strategy, Policy & Concepts team.

Now back in HTX as a Deputy Director at the Policing Programme Management Centre, Guoming focuses on implementing technologies for Police operations while nurturing future engineers. “It's the people that make the difference in any organisation,” he reflects.

The Mobile Classroom (MobiC, pictured) brings VR training directly to frontline officers, enabling them to practice through multiple VR scenarios. PHOTOS: Lee Guoming

Q: What was it like driving technological projects for the Home Team, from your early days in OCSTO and MHA Science and Technology Group?

Guoming: OCSTO was a reasonably small department compared to HTX now. We looked at any technology to help Home Team officers do their tasks better, like biometrics, digitalisation and VR. 

The most memorable one would be VR training. We had a very short timeline of six months to conceptualise and co-develop the Mobile Classroom (MobiC) with our contractor. We worked many late nights. However, seeing the officers using it and providing positive feedback was one of the most satisfying parts. And I get to play games too! (laughs)

Some of the projects that I worked on previously at OCSTO did not translate into full scale implementation after the initial proof-of-concept (POC) trials as further refinements were required. I then had to move on to other projects and could not see these projects through to the end. But I’m happy to say that the formation of HTX has seen these projects spun off into different ones with the same purpose: to force multiply the Home Team. I’m also heartened that the unwavering drive to innovate, take calculated risks and learn from failures have persevered at HTX!

At OCSTO, Guoming (right) also helped establish the Human Performance Facility at Home Team Academy. PHOTO: Lee Guoming

Q: Having witnessed the Home Team's technological evolution, what are your reflections on this transformation journey?

Guoming: There was hesitation towards adopting technology back then, because Home Team officers were unfamiliar with it and not confident in using it. They were also quite busy with frontline operations. But sentiments have changed. As we did more POC trials, Home Team officers became more receptive of the technological solutions and started to see how they not only reduce their workload but create value-add as well.

When HTX was formed, MHA’s science and technological development capabilities were brought together under one roof, and this means having more resources to dive deep into certain technologies and the ability to do S&T work in a more coordinated manner. With the “One Home Team” mindset, cross sharing of technology across Home Team departments allows us to leverage work done for a single agency and quickly deliver solutions to other Home Team agencies.

Guoming believes that people make the difference in any organisation and set his sights on mentoring the next generation of engineers. PHOTO: Lee Guoming

Q: What are your aspirations for HTX and the Home Team as Singapore faces future security challenges?

Guoming: I hope to see HTX at the forefront of creating innovative ideas for technological and scientific solutions - not just for keeping Singapore safe and secure, but also as a North Star for other public safety agencies around the world.

The future generation of HTX officers will have a tall order to fulfil. We are facing an uncertain and dynamic environment; emerging threats will be more challenging. Without the efforts of these HTX officers, the Home Team will face an even more challenging task. I hope they find satisfaction and fulfilment in their work.

>> Read the second article of the series, Reflections from the Home Team (Part 2): The Border Veteran and The Community Builder