The Best Sepak Takraw Team in Home Team

The SCDF team successfully defended its Sepak Takraw title in the Home Team Games 2011 by defeating its keen rival, the SPF (Singapore Police Force) team, in an exciting and action-packed final on 15 October 2011 at the Home Team Academy Multi Purpose Hall. The inter-regu event saw six regus from Central Narcotics Bureau, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Internal Security Department, SCDF, SPF and Singapore Prisons Service competing for the championship title.

The victorious SCDF Team. (The author is in black.)

Representing the SCDF team were CPT Roslan Kemat, LTA Md Riduan Md Akbar (team managers), SWO Md Rafi Abdul Majid (chief coach), SSG Khamdan Min (coach), SGT Md Farhan Aman, SGT Md Faszli Harun, SGT Md Aidil Salim , CPL Md Magrib Ibrahim and PTE Md Farhan Kassim. In this keenly-anticipated final, the SCDF team had the opportunity to proof that their victory last year over the PERSES (Singapore Sepaktakraw Federation) Premier League Champion – the SPF Team, was not a fluke. The high octave match saw both teams displaying masterful ball control skills and spectacular gravity-defying strikes and blocks.  Their finesse and agility wowed the spectators over. In the end, with sheer perseverance the SCDF Team edged out a marginal 30-29 win over their SPF rivals by the skin of their teeth. Well done, SCDF!

SCDF striker Md Magrib (blue) attempting an acrobatic strike past SPF striker Md Ridzuan (red) (Photo Credit: Home Team News)

Row, Row, Row Your Canoe

SGT Abigail Chen(R) and her double partner Ms Yeung Xintian(L) proudly showing off their hard earned Asian Championship medal in the event

SGT Abigail Chen, a Jurong Fire Station Paramedic, represented Singapore in the 2011 ICF (International Canoe Federation) Canoe Marathon World Championships 19^th edition, which was held for the first time in Asia at Marina Reservoir from 21 – 23 October. SGT Chen participated in the K2 Women’s Senior (Doubles) event, which comprised six laps and six portages (carrying a canoe) totalling 25.6km. Fourteen teams including seasoned champions competed for the world title in this event, with Japan and Singapore as the sole Asian competitors. SGT Chen and her doubles partner Ms Yeung Xintian managed to come in at a respectable ninth placing with a timing of 2:17:47, beating the Japanese to win the Asian Title. Having taken up the sport only in 2008 and with some competitions under her belt, this was the best result thus far for SGT Abigail Chen.

To train for the world championships, she adhered to a strict and tough training regime. On her off-duty days, or even prior to her duty, she would be at the Kallang River or MacRitchie Reservoir to train with the national team. Training included paddling sessions, weight training, running and swimming. The intensity and distances varied from short sprints of 15 seconds to endurance training for 30km. The race planning involved having the necessary nutrition and fluid intake during the race to maintain an optimal energy level.

All the training paid off in style for SGT Chen, whose goal is to qualify for the next championships in Rome next September. Her doubles pairing is also training hard for a timing of 2:05:00 to stand a chance of finishing among the top few in the event.

SSG Shahrul Nasry is a Section Commander in Jurong Fire Station. (Credit: Singapore Press Holdings Ltd for The Straits Times article).

Trade Your Hair for Hope?

Ever thought that a simple act of cutting your hair can serve a higher purpose? How is this routine which we carry out from time to time related to cancer awareness, if at all?

Well, on 27 August 2011, a motley bunch of seven officers from SCDF participated in a Hair for Hope 2011 satellite event held at Eastpoint Mall, with the main event held earlier at Vivocity from 23-24 July. Into its ninth consecutive year, the Hair for Hope movement is a fund-raising event organised by the Children’s Cancer Foundation to simultaneously raise awareness of childhood cancer. The shaven heads are powerful imageries to the children that it is alright to be bold, with the participants also symbolically identifying with their ordeals.

SCDF officers arriving in full anticipation - 'Before Pic'

Prior to the event, the officers had arrived at the venue and sat down over cups of coffee at the breakfast table to ponder over life without their hair. No, this discourse did not affect our decisions to say goodbye to our hair, albeit temporarily. Soon, we registered and queued up for the event. However, due to the overwhelming turnout, we found themselves having a queue number starting from 64. This translated into a few hours’ wait on the sidelines, but the show of public support was indeed uplifting.

The event started with a high when with a lady shed her beautiful hair after raising a significant amount from online pledges. Her hair shaving sent the event up an octave. Our patient wait was soon rewarded with a call up the stage. The professional hairdressers gave us a quick, clean-shaven head in mere minutes. We were then pleasantly surprised when a nearby eatery offered a free bowl of soup for all participants, a literally heart-warming gesture.

All in the name of Charity

Spontaneity, fun and inspiration – all in the name of charity! We are all already looking a-head to the event next year.

' Way to go lads' - 'After Pic'

 

 

 

CPT Zhou Yansheng is the Senior Staff Officer in charge of data, in Hazardous Materials Department.

(Coincidently, he is also the second from the left in the above picture)

A Day for Celebration and Devotion

Civil Defence Day falls on 15 September, when SCDF personnel reaffirm their commitment to the Force and their life-saving vocations. At noon, the Public Warning System sounds island-wide accompanied by mass media broadcasts to remind citizens to stay prepared for emergencies, while a parade takes place in the evening to celebrate the event.

This year, SCDF was honoured to have Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister, Co-ordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs as the Guest of Honour. It was the first time he graced the Civil Defence Day Parade, which was held at the National Service Training Institute (NSTI). 1^st CD Division Head Operations LTC Ling Young Ern commanded the parade, which had six contingents from the various SCDF units, the National Civil Defence Cadet Corps (NCDCC) and our community and industrial CERT (Community/Company Emergency Response Team) partners. The CD Lionhearter Club contingent, comprising students from Singapore Polytechnic and ITE College East, made their inaugural appearance.

Honouring Our Partners and an Engaging Mass Display Segment

The parade saw DPM Teo presenting awards to our strategic partners and outstanding CERTs for their contribution to emergency preparedness. He also gave out the top three prizes for the local winners of the annual ASEAN Regional Drawing Competition to inculcate vigilance in children. He presented a token of appreciation to the East View Secondary School Military Band for their participation in the event.

DPM Teo (front, centre) and Comr Peter Lim (front, L5) with the award winners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What followed was the Mass Display segment which kickstarted with an item by the NSTI and CDA personnel. The ITE Show Choir participated for the first time and enchanted the audience with their colourful performance. The finale was presented by the elite Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART), and this was no mean feat.

ITE students enchanting the audience with a colourful performance

DART Dazzles

For their grand display, DART built a four-storey scaffolding structure with specially-designed wooden planks resembling the Singapore skyline. DART officers, together with ten officers from our regional counterparts, then rappelled down the structure, setting off pyrotechnics attached to them for an awe-inspiring effect. This stunt was symbolic of the emergency coverage provided for Singapore. A luminous helium globe was also lowered from the grandstand, surprising the audience, to represent the SCDF emphasis on international co-operation.

The Disaster and Rescue Team in Action

International Workshop and Competition

Strengthening the international network was exactly what took place during this period. Two related events were held leading to CD Day. The second International Elite Rescuers Exchange (IERE) Workshop commenced on 12 September at CDA, which saw the participation of 43 officers from ten regional counterparts including Brunei, Indonesia, Macau Special Administrative Region and Vietnam. This platform allowed these elite rescuers to share with one another their operational capabilities and case studies from major incidents. They were also divided into groups to practice inter-agency operations for height rescue and road traffic accidents.

Such practice sessions put them in good stead for the 17th CD Skills Competition which was held at the adjacent NSTI on 14 September, and graced by Mr S Iswaran, Minister in Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade and Industry. They were grouped with DART officers in various physically-demanding scenarios, which served to forge closer bonds between the agencies. After intense competition, ‘Team Persevere’ emerged as the overall winner. There was also a local segment, in which 1^st CD Division was crowned the champion.

Fitting End to a Memorable Week

Held over four days, the IERE Workshop, CD Skills Competition and CD Day Parade were akin to a celebration of civil defence over one week. The presence of our overseas counterparts both spurs our SCDF officers to excellence, and reinforces the devotion to civil defence, knowingly full well that our counterparts are also committed to saving and protecting lives and property.

Jointly contributed by CPT Rendall Quek (Provost Unit), CPT Johan Nazrin Bin Jaffar (Civil Defence Academy) and SSG Nidhar Taib (Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team).

Commemorating September 11 in Station 11

On Sunday September 11, 2011, Central Fire Station (also known as Station 11) played host to the United States Ambassador to Singapore Mr David Adelman and his guests. It was the tenth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, and visiting a fire station was a fitting tribute to the 343 firefighters and paramedics from the Fire Department City of New York (FDNY) who lost their lives when the Twin Towers collapsed. The visit also underpinned the crucial emergency role carried out by SCDF firefighters.

Mr David Adelman, accompanied by children from the charity organisation Beyond Social Services, was warmly greeted by Commander 1^st CD Division LTC Ling Kok Yong and Commander Central Fire Station MAJ Wesley Ho.  The firefighters then displayed their proficiency with the sliding poles through “live” demonstrations, showing both the unique “hands-free Singapore style” and the traditional “bear hug” methods. The guests were treated to a literally uplifting experience on the Combined Platform Ladder which can be raised up to a height of 30 m. The children’s interactive experience extended to handling two charged water jets and a water mist gun.

Commander 1st CD Division LTC Ling Kok Yong (L) and Commander Central Fire Station MAJ Wesley Ho (R) looking on as the Ambassador Adelman signs the guestbook.

The main highlight was an enacted fire incident. When the fire coding sounded, firefighters quickly descended via the sliding pole to swiftly set up two jets to fight the fire, while simultaneously evacuating the casualties to safety. The visit ended with the guests invited to the adjacent Civil Defence Heritage Gallery for an insight into the history and evolution of firefighting in Singapore.

Combine Platform Ladder Demostration

A New Operational Vehicle for a New Operating Environment

The Multi Utility Vehicle (MUV) is a new vehicle developed by SCDF to enhance our operational capability in flood rescue response and to supply huge volume of water in large scale fires like vegetation fires.

 

Multi Utility Vehicle

 

The MUV is a heavy duty four-wheel drive truck mounted with a crane and hydraulic tailgate; it stands at a height of 3.7 m, is 2.5 m wide and 7.9 m long. The MUV is unique as its original chassis (i.e. the physical frame or structure of the vehicle on which the body is supported) allows for the deployment of different operational modules depending on the nature of incidents. These modules are loaded via the mounted crane onto the chassis. For example, if additional water hoses are required, the chassis will be loaded with the Water Supply Module which carries hoses over a distance of 2 km. This gives ground responders access to different water sources ranging from fire hydrants to seas, rivers or reservoirs via floating pumps and portable pumps.

Vegetation Fire Module & Flood Response Module

 

Vehicle Outlook & Water Supply Module

Different Permutations for Different Incidents
The MUV also features two other operational modules. The Flood Response Module carries two inflatable boats, an amphibious vehicle and a range of water rescue items to allow SCDF ground responders to efficiently conduct a search and rescue operation. The Vegetation Fire Module on the other hand carries two large pumps and two water tanks (with a capacity of 3,500 L each) to generate a high pressure jet to effectively extinguish deep-seated vegetation fires. Therefore, instead of having different vehicles deployed for different operations, the MUV, with its flexible operational modules offers greater operational efficiency and effectiveness. Its flexibility extends beyond these modules, with its flat bed chassis also able to accommodate our Hazmat Buggy for chemical contamination incidents, simply by lifting it via the mounted crane. It can also function as a backup vehicle for our elite Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team’s Heavy Rescue Tender [HRT], which operates in a similar modular mode.

The MUV will be operated by the Special Rescue Platoons in the four CD Divisional HQs.

Amusement Rides Safety Act

The Universal Studio Battle Star Gallatica undergo many rigorous tests before it was opened for public

Amusement Park Rides have begun to increase steadily in Singapore in the last decade. At the start of the year 2000, we only had Escape Theme Park as our Amusement Park attraction but this has steadily increased as other attractions such as Wet and Wild, Universal Studios and the Singapore Flyer were set up .  With this increasing trend, it is therefore heartening to know that consumers safety remain the governments priority as the Amusement Ride Safety Act was passed.

This new Amusement Rides Safety Act (ARSA) was passed in Parliament on 14 February 2011, with the Amusement Rides Safety (Fire and Rescue Management System) Regulations 2011 gazetted on 24 June and effective 1 July. There will be a six-month grace period for compliance. Under the purview of both the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and Ministry of National Development, the Act regulates the installation, operation, modification, maintenance and repair of amusement rides, including the provision of fire safety and rescue evacuation measures. An amusement ride is defined as any mechanised or power-driven device designed to carry patrons on a fixed or restricted course or within a defined area, for the primary purpose providing amusement, pleasure, thrills, or excitement. This includes Singapore Flyer, the Battlestar Galactica in Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa, as well as the mobile amusement rides run by operators in community fairs.

 

The Singapore Flyer

SCDF’s role is to ensure that ride operators comply with fire safety standards and provide for rescue and evacuation measures. The new licensing regime requires the operators to appoint competent persons to make proper plan submission to SCDF for approval of the fire and rescue management system. A risk assessment report which identifies the fire hazards and other human safety risks and how they will be handled, is compulsory. Based on this report, the operators must have in place a well-trained Company Emergency Response Team (CERT) to execute emergency rescue during an incident before SCDF arrives. Furthermore, upon completion of the installation works on site, the competent persons must inspect and certify that the fire and rescue management works have been properly carried out before submitting an application for a Certificate of Compliance (COC).  SCDF will conduct 100% check on all applications before Commissioner SCDF issues the COC, which is to be renewed annually. The operators are also to appoint a trained Fire and Rescue Co-ordinator (FRC) to assist them in the discharge of their fire safety and operational duties.  

Essentially, the ride operators are responsible for fire safety compliance and ensure that emergency measures are in place at all times. Any operator who contravenes the regulations can be fined up to a maximum of $2,000 or jailed for 12 months or both.  Commissioner SCDF may also revoke the COC and refer any case to BCA to cease the operation of an amusement ride.

New IPPT System for ORNSmen

Key changes to the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) for the Operationally Ready National Servicemen (ORNSmen) have kicked in with effect from 1 April 2011. Are you aware of them?

Physical Conditioning under the guidance of the PTIs (Physical Training Instructors)

These changes form part of the overall framework to ensure a high level of physical fitness among the ORNSmen. To grant them greater flexibility to plan their training regime to improve their fitness levels, a new nine-month IPT (IPPT Preparatory Training) programme which runs from April to December has been introduced. ORNSmen who need assistance to pass their IPPT are strongly encouraged to voluntarily sign-up for the IPT and start the programme early in April; this allows them to enjoy the full nine-month window for the preparation.

On the New IPT System

There is an incentive for ORNSmen who sign up for the IPT before their In-Camp Trainings (ICTs) – they will not be required to attempt their IPPT during their ICTs, but will be allowed to continue their IPT programme. They have until to the end of the third quarter of the same workyear[1] (WY), i.e. December, to complete their 10 sessions of IPT.

However, for those who are not scheduled for ICT, or whose ICT is in the last quarter of the WY, i.e. from January to March, the IPT window will still end by December.

IPPT and In-Camp Training

ORNSmen who are not scheduled for ICTs in any WY will be required to attempt an IPPT within the same WY. 20 sessions of Remedial Training (RT) will be imposed on those who fail the IPPT. For those who fail the IPPT during their ICTs, they have to book their RT sessions online within two weeks from the end of their ICT, and complete the 20 sessions within a three-month period. Table 1 below illustrates the IPPT requirements in relation to both the ICT and IPT System

Personal Performance Target Standards

The Performance Personal Target (PPT) banding applies to ORNSmen who sign up for IPT.  They will be assigned a PPT banding based on their previous year’s IPPT results, with references drawn from the lowest scores for the corresponding IPPT stations, as illustrated in Table 2 below. Those who did not attempt an IPPT in the previous year will be assigned PPT Band 1.

ORNSmen have to complete nine IPT sessions and attempt their IPPT by the 10^th session. They will be deemed to have met the IPPT requirement for the WY once they attain the required PPT banding standards. For those who fail to meet their required standards by the end of their IPT, they have to attend another eight sessions of Fitness Training (FT) to be completed over a three-month period. Those who fail to complete the 10-session IPT by the end of December will be called up for the 20-session RT. Tables 3 and 4 provide more information on the respective timings and venues for both the RT and FT regime.

Stringent Attendance Requirements for both the Remedial Training and Fitness Training Session

ORNSmen should note that if it applies to them, attendance for the RT or FT sessions is compulsory. Failure to complete these physical conditioning sessions within the stipulated three months period will subject them to both disciplinary actions as well as further scheduling of the applicable RT or FT regime. This is essential to maintain an operational level of fitness.

To sign up for IPPT,IPT, RT or FT sessions, do visit the NS Portal at http://www.ns.sg. ORNSmen can also obtain more information from their respective unit’s Head Personnel.

[1] April – March. For e.g., WY2011/2012 spans the period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012.

 Notes:
1. NSTI – National Service Training Institute (Renamed from BRTC in WY11), CDA Complex
2. HTA- Home Team Academy @ 501 Old Chua Chu Kang Road
3. SAF FCC – SAF Fitness Condition Centres (Maju, Bedok and Khatib Camps).    
4. IPT is also conducted, for a fee, at both HomeTeamNS @ Bukit Batok and the SAFRA Clubhouse EnergyOne Gyms. For more information, visit the EnergyOne Gyms website at http://www.safra.sg/page.aspx?pageid=96, or contact HomeTeamNS @ Bukit Batok at 66654637

Table 1: Summary of the New IPPT System

 

April until start of Unit ICT	During ICT	Till end December (End of 3rd quarter of the WY)	January to March  (last quarter of the WY)
1. Sign up for IPT	Exempted from  IPPT	Attend 10 sessions ofIPTand attempt to meet the required PPT banding.	For failure to meet PPT banding,  to attend an 8-session  FT;

For failure to completeIPT, to attend a 20-session RT.2. Do not sign-up for IPTAttempt IPPTFor failure to pass IPPT, to attend a 20-session RT within 3 months after ICT.    
3.  Pass IPPT

N.A.

(Note: For those not scheduled for ICT, they should either pass the IPPT or complete the IPT by end of December.)

Table 2: Personal Performance Target (PPT) Standards

AGE CAT	IPPT STATIONS	PERFORMANCE BAND/LEVEL
		PPT 1	PPT 2	PPT 3	PPT 4
X	SIT-UPS (REPS)	22-24	25-27	28-30	31-33
Y		21-23	24-26	27-29	30-32
Y1		19-21	22-24	25-27	28-30
Z		16-18	19-21	22-24	25-27
Z1		15-17	18-20	21-23	24-26
X	STANDING BROAD JUMP (CM)	189-197	198-206	207-215	216-224
Y		185-193	194-202	203-211	212-220
Y1		180-188	189-197	198-206	207-215
Z		171-179	180-188	189-197	198-206
Z1		Not applicable for CAT Z1
X	CHIN-UP (REPS)	2	3	4-5	6-7
Y		1	2	3-4	5-6
Y1		1	2	3	4-5
Z		1	2	2	3
Z1		1	2	2	3
X	SHUTTLE RUN (SECS)	11.2-11.3	11.0-11.1	10.8-10.9	10.6-10.7
Y		11.3-11.4	11.1-11.2	10.9-11.0	10.7-10.8
Y1		11.4-11.5	11.2-11.3	11.0-11.1	10.8-10.9
Z		11.6-11.7	11.4-11.5	11.2-11.3	11.0-11.1
Z1		Not applicable for CAT Z1
X	2.4KM RUN (MINS:SECS)	13:41-14:20	13:01-13:40	12:21-13:00	11:41-12:20
Y		14:01-14:40	13:21-14:00	12:41-13:20	12:01-12:40
Y1		14:21-15:00	13:41-14:20	13:01-13:40	12:21-13:00
Z		14:41-15:20	14:01-14:40	13:26-14:00	12:51-13:25
Z1		15:01-15:40	14:21-15:00	13:46-14:20	13:11-13:45

 

Table 3: Timings for the Conduct of IPT, RT and FT

Monday to Thursday	1800hrs – 2200 hrs
Saturday	0800hrs – 1200hrs	1600hrs -  2000hrs
Sunday	0800hrs – 1200hrs
Friday and Public Holiday	N.A.
Remarks	IPT: 3 hours/session RT and FT: 4 hours/session

 

Table 4: Venues for the Respective Training Programmes

Centre	Venues
IPPT	NSTI (BRTC)	HTA	SAF FCC
IPT	NSTI	HTA	Fire Stations
RT/FT	NSTI	HTA

 

 

First Female Commander for Hazmat Fire Station

‘As a female, why did you choose a career so different from the others?’

CPT Joanne Lee is the second female to be appointed a Fire Station Commander and First female to become a HazMat Fire Station Commander. The last female Station Commander was Samantha Loke  in 2001. She was then in charge of Geylang Fire Station

Out of the present 120 fire and rescue personnel in Tuas Fire Station, only 10 of them are female. This adds up to less than one tenth of its total strength.

29 years old SCDF CPT Joanne Lee had overcame many obstacles to become the first female commander for a HazMat Fire Station. Now, she adds on to her portfolio as not only will she have to command over 120 fire and rescue personnel but she has to also constantly deal with incidences involving hazardous materials.

CPT Joanne was interviewed after the Change of Command parade on 2nd June 2011. She was asked ‘as a female, why did she choose a career so different from the others?’ She responded by saying that since young she had always wanted to be in a profession where she is able to save lives. She had wanted to be a doctor but she chose to study chemical engineering when she knew that SCDF is actively forming a team of professional HAzMAt Responders and requires personnel possessing knowledge of Hazardous Materials.

She further expressed that manpower and resource management will be her main challenges and even though she is working in a male dominated environment, she do not feel any different from her male counterparts.

‘Well Done CPT Joanne and all the Best in your new Posting as Station Commander’

The Life Saving Pen by SCDF – iSAVE

Warrant Officer Roger Lee demonstrates the use of the Medical Digital Pen, an innovative project developed by the Singapore Civil Defence Force that allows data-entry to be faster and more accurate at scenes of incident. PHOTO: Loh Jin Feng

 

The Medical Digital Pen is an innovative project by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), the pen cuts down the capture of patient and incident data from 20 minutes to just five. Under the previous system,the paramedics had to manually record thepatients information while attending to an ambulance case, before transferring the records to the main system after they have returned to their respective fire stations or fire posts.

 

iSAVE allows a patient details to be captured and recorded real time in the system, sliminating the need for double entry. This has shortened the process from the current 20 mins to just 5 mins. By the end of 2010, all SCDF ambulances, FAST Response Paramedic Bikes and Private Ambulances Operators engaged by SCDF were equipped with the DigiPen – iSAVE.

 

The Medical Digital Pen won the Best Home Team Innovation Product of the Year during the Home Team Innovation Festival 2010 (Innofest 2010). It also received a Certificate of Recognition fro the BEst PS21 Project at the PS21 ExCEL Convention held at the school of Arts in end 2010

Check out SCDF’s warrant officer Roger Lee demonstration on the use of Medical Digital Pen.