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SCDF officers can now take fingerprints of unconscious people in medical emergencies

SINGAPORE – On Friday (Feb 1), changes passed last November to the Civil Defence Act and related laws affecting Home Team Departments came into force.

SCDF officers at work at multi-agency civil emergency exercise.

SCDF officers at work at multi-agency civil emergency exercise.

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SINGAPORE – On Friday (Feb 1), changes passed last November to the Civil Defence Act and related laws affecting Home Team departments came into force.

We tell you what the changes mean for the public, as well as the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s (SCDF) operations and officers.

  • SCDF officers attending to medical emergencies can now collect the fingerprints or other information that helps to identify patients who are unconscious or unable to communicate. This will allow them to quickly retrieve the patients’ emergency health records, such as their known allergies, and render appropriate and timely medical intervention.
    The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement on Friday (Feb 1) that the SCDF has robust IT security systems and processes to safeguard information, and those who misuse information will be punished.
  • The authorities now have the power to ensure that SCDF officers — who may be exposed to health hazards in the course of work — undergo the necessary medical exams and treatments, including vaccinations. This will prevent situations where officers refuse to go for the exams or treatments, which may affect themselves and their colleagues. Non-compliance is an offence. Similar provisions will be made under the Police Force Act for police officers, said the MHA.
  • SCDF officers will not be legally liable for acts performed during day-to-day operations, if they acted in good faith and had taken reasonable care in the course of saving lives and preventing injuries. Previously, protection from legal liability was explicitly given only for fire-fighting operations or operations carried out during a state of emergency or state of civil defence emergency. Protected personnel include the crew of SCDF-appointed private ambulance operators and Singapore Armed Forces servicemen attached to the SCDF’s Emergency Medical Services unit.
  • SCDF operationally-ready NSmen can now voluntarily extend their service beyond the current maximum service age of 40 for those holding the rank of Senior Warrant Officer and below, and 50 for those holding the rank of Second Lieutenant and above. This allows the SCDF to tap their expertise and years of experience.
  • Building owners must provide space for emergency devices, such as Public Warning System sirens, within their premises. They must grant SCDF officers access to their premises to install, maintain and repair these devices.

Other changes will take effect in the second quarter of this year, said the MHA.

  • Introduction of penalties for unauthorised production, distribution and use of Home Team uniforms and insignia.
  • A new appeal mechanism for SCDF national servicemen to appeal against the outcomes of summary trials.
  • Allowing errant SCDF national servicemen to be tried within three years from the date their offence was reported or discovered, regardless of when the offence was committed. Currently, they can only be tried within three years from the time the offence was committed.
  • Increase in maximum fine for SCDF national servicemen.

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