Simulated terror attacks part of yearly exercise
SINGAPORE — Anti-terror exercise Exercise Heartbeat was held for the seventh time, days after attacks in Paris shook the world.
SINGAPORE — Anti-terror exercise Exercise Heartbeat was held for the seventh time, days after attacks in Paris shook the world.
Organised by the Singapore Police Force, the exercise began with simulated chemical agent attack at One Marina Boulevard at about 9am. In total, five terror attack scenarios will be role-played across two days — today (Nov 18) and Nov 23.
Response team officers approaching the gunman at Esplanade Park, as spectators watch from above. Photo: CNA
SCDF officers in protective equipment attend to Sarin gas "victims" at One Marina Boulevard. Photo: Wee Teck Hian
Exercise Heartbeat: SCDF officers prepare to "decontaminate" a victim of a staged chemical attack. They will first remove all his clothes, then wash him with soap and water. Photo: CNA
Watching the exercise today, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Desmond Lee said the recent Paris attacks made it all the more critical for such exercises to be held, as they test the readiness of the Home Team and the community.
The Government will be giving out “Ready Bags” at community events, which will contain basic items for an emergency such as a dynamo torchlight which does not require batteries to operate, a whistle and a first-aid kit, at community events.
Mr Lee said that he hopes these items will encourage citizens to start thinking about what they should have on hand and what they should do in times of emergency.
“A resilient community is resilient because every individual is resilient, every individual is mentally and physically prepared,” he said. CHANNEL NEWSASIA