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New SCDF initiatives focus on community involvement, technologies

SINGAPORE — When a fire breaks out in a train tunnel, the extreme heat and choking smoke in the confined area can make it near impossible for firefighters to deal with the situation.

SINGAPORE — When a fire breaks out in a train tunnel, the extreme heat and choking smoke in the confined area can make it near impossible for firefighters to deal with the situation.

To overcome the problem, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has designed a rail kit that allows its remote-controlled firefighting machine to manoeuvre on rail tracks.

Once inside the tunnel, the machine can discharge high-velocity air to create ventilation in the smoke-logged area, as well as use intense water mist, jet or foam to put out the flames.

This rail-ready firefighting machine was among the exhibits displayed at the SCDF’s Workplan Seminar yesterday.

A free mobile app that lists the locations of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) across the island was also launched. Called MyResponder, the app, which was put together by the SCDF in collaboration with the Singapore Heart Foundation, also allows users to sign up as Community First Responders, to be called upon in an emergency.

The app is the latest feature launched under the SCDF’s Save A Life initiative. Under a pilot programme of the initiative, which will commence in June, nearly 400 AEDs will be installed in the lobbies of Housing and Development Board blocks that have CCTV cameras, across six estates — Bedok, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Pasir Ris West, Radin Mas and Tampines West.

Other projects that have been rolled out to complement the initiative include the Dispatcher Assisted First Responder (DARE) programme, which teaches school children basic CPR skills and how to use AED units, as well as the Neighbourhood Active Responder (NEAR) programme, through which volunteers can learn life-saving and other emergency skills.

The SCDF also showcased other equipment that will be launched soon, such as a system that uses augmented reality technology and 3D virtualisation to simulate realistic traffic accident scenarios so as to train rescue personnel on responding to situations of varying complexity. This system is expected to be rolled out sometime next year.

Also on display was the Fire and Smoke Tele-Camera (FAST) system. In contrast to normal fire and smoke detectors, the FAST system uses image processing technology to detect, verify and confirm the presence of fire and smoke more quickly and accurately.

Speaking to reporters after the seminar, Mr S Iswaran, Second Minister for Home Affairs, said that given the diminishing number of Singaporeans entering the workforce, the SCDF needed to look at other options, such as technology, in order to enhance its capabilities. “Technology allows our officers to focus their energies where the human judgment is critical, while machines and equipment can do the other things,” he said.

“The other key is community engagement, which is a way (the SCDF) can build its capabilities in-situ. Before an ambulance arrives, bystanders can be the first responders ... which can make the difference between life and death (for a patient).”

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