Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) beefs up response with EMT and rehabilitation units

The SCDF introduced the above in its recent workplace seminar as part of enhancing emergency operational response in times of crisis. Extract below is from the local "Today" newspapers.

SINGAPORE - From July, selected firefighters will be trained to provide medical aid to casualties before paramedics arrive at the scene during emergencies, under a new Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) scheme.

Details of the scheme - first announced during the Committee of Supply debate last month - were rolled out at the Singapore Civil Defence Force's (SCDF) annual Workplan Seminar yesterday, where Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean highlighted the need to "continually find new ways to develop the full potential of its officers through more effective training and deployment".

The EMT scheme, Mr Teo said, is a "potential game changer in terms of how the SCDF deploys its resources and maximises the potential of our officers in a tighter labour market". With the slowdown in labour force growth, "it will become increasingly more difficult for SCDF to recruit and retain good officers to fill its growing needs", he said.

Currently, firefighters are trained as first-aiders, but through the EMT scheme, they will be able to independently assess patients and render emergency medical treatment, as well as manage mass-casualty incidents. The eight-week course will be implemented progressively over the next three years. Eventually, all fire stations will have at least one fire and medical section equipped with EMT capability.

Also announced at the Workplan Seminar yesterday was the Responders' Performance Module (RPM), a mobile unit that will be deployed for protracted firefighting operations so that firefighters can undergo physical rehabilitation to cool their body temperatures and minimise risk of heat injuries. Examples of protracted operations include the Shell Eastern Petroleum oil refinery fire on Pulau Bukom in 2011, where firefighters took 32 hours to put out the fire.

To enhance the employability of its full-time national servicemen and operationally-ready national servicemen, the SCDF is also working to align its courses to the Workforce Skills Qualification framework, so that their skills are more recognised for employment in the private sector. And to enhance emergency services to the public, the SCDF is setting up three new fire posts in Sembawang, Jalan Buroh and Dover areas this year.

The SCDF is also stepping up in its engagement with the community with the launch of a new application for Apple iPhones - mySCDF - through which the public can upload photographs and information on potential fire hazards and track the status of their feedback.

Meanwhile, the mandatory CERT scheme - launched in 2005 for industries dealing in large quantities of petroleum and flammable materials - will be expanded to designated public and industrial buildings, such as those with a large number of occupants.

The scheme requires an organisation to appoint a trained team to deal with emergencies on the company's premises. A national CERT standard on the requirements for CERTs will also be introduced next month.

Time to Review Your BIA for a Fire Scenario

The local Singapore Civil Defence Force has just been given additional powers during a Fire emergency.

If your business continuity plan covers a Fire scenario, then it's probably time to review your recovery time objectives (RTO) as well as its potential financial impact.

Extracted below is an article published in the local "Today" newspaper:

SINGAPORE - Firefighters will get enhanced powers to shut down buildings during fires and go after recalcitrant offenders after Parliament approved changes to the Fire Safety Act yesterday.

The Act was last amended in 2004. Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli said yesterday that the changes will allow the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to close buildings which pose a fire hazard for up to 72 hours. Previously, such a closure order must be rescinded once the fire hazard is abated. It can also only be imposed if the safety of people within the premises "cannot be reasonably ensured by any other means". Mr Masagos noted it would be used only as a "matter of last resort", with the SCDF relying on other measures such as fines and court-imposed closure orders to compel premise owners to put in place required abatement and mitigation measures. He also stressed that the new law would apply only to recalcitrant offenders who have had three or more court convictions for fire hazard offences during the past 24 months. Penalties will also go up to a maximum of S$200,000 and/or 24 months' imprisonment, compared to the existing fine of S$50,000 and/or 12 months' imprisonment.

This, said Mr Masagos, would put it in line with similar offences under the Building Control Act. Building and pipeline owners of petroleum and flammable materials will also have to step up their responses to emergencies.

The current Fire Emergency Plan will be expanded to include plans not just for fires, but also fire-related emergencies such as gas and chemical leaks. It will be renamed as the Emergency Response Plan.

How to Design a Fire Station in the Caves!

In today's densely populated urban environment, urban planning has to be carefully thought through even for the zoning of emergency services.

I chanced upon the below article reported by the popular magazine "Fast Company" which showcased how one country goes about it, in managing land use, urban zoning, as well as integrating and harnessing the power of nature in the construction of a fully operational fire station:

View this article!

Get The "Emergency Response Guidebook 2012" Now

For those of us entrusted with the responsibilities and duty to protect and save lives and property, you'll know what the ERG is meant to do.

For those who aren't in the know, the ERG in summary is a quick reference guidebook for frontline responders activated to manage a HAZMAT incident. And yes, it is also a must have tool if you're entrusted to oversee or perform WSH or OSH programmes.

Although published by the United States Department of Transportation, this guidebook is applicable wherever you are on Earth.

For a video introduction of what the latest 2012 ERG is about, view here:

Emergency Response Guidebook 2012 Video

To download a full electronic copy, here's the link (thanks to the International Association of Emergency Management for providing this link):

Download ERG 2012 Here

Never Assume the Nearest Amenities

In a recent road traffic accident involving a high speed Ferrari and a passenger taxi resulting in 3 fatalities in a popular spot in Singapore, members of the public were quick to point out and query why in the world weren't the casualties sent to the nearest private hospital which was just 3 minutes drive away.

While it seemed the most logical thing to do, the reality is that not every medical facility is just as well equipped as every other medical institution. In this instance, the fatal injuries sustained by the casualties would not have been "salvageable" nor stabilized adequately if they were initially sent to this nearest medical facility. As a result, the responding paramedic crew made the logical decision to convey the casualties to another further (but better equipped) hospital.

While the above sighting may not be similar or "acceptable" in approach in your respective countries, this goes to show that when we plan medical coverage support from related agencies in our emergency response plans, considerations like these must be clearly thought through and confirmed. Never assume that the nearest mutual aid support is just 5 minutes drive away or that they will surely deploy full staffing just to tend to your situation.

Personally, I know that I've now got to relook at my current plans to ensure such planning assumptions are accurate!

See full story covered by The straits Times here:

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_803402.html

Are Fire Sprinkler Systems Effective?

Recently, there was a case of a fire breakout in a hotel in Bangkok, resulting in 1 death and 20 odd injuries linked to the fire. The report from The Straits Times provides greater details here: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/ANN/Story/STIStory_776171.html

While it is unfortunate such an event took place, one would question what would be the effectiveness of such sprinkler systems in the event of a fire?

If you speak with any fire protection engineer, contractor or a fire officer, you will come to a summary of other factors that would minimise the effects of a fire (or in the worst case scenario, a fatality):

A) Ensure any addition and alteration works are approved by your country's relevant authorities including revised active fire protection designs;
B) Ensure your premises fire emergency plans are updated reflecting these changes to facilitate search and rescue;
C) Where possible or required, ensure such works are made known to your local fire authorities;
D) If your premises is considered a high occupancy loading, do ensure regular fire safety briefings are conducted or communicated to building occupants especially those performing interim fire fighting duties pending the arrival of the municipal fire brigade; and,
E) Perform ad hoc reviews of your fire protection plans to ensure code compliance as well as relevancy as part of good risk review.

Having approved and adequate active fire protection systems is one thing. Very often much attention should also be paid to fire prevention and consequence management.

Fire Safety Features in Singapore's Newest Transportation Tunnel

Extracted from The Straits Times on 28 Jan 2012:

Motorists driving through the new Woodsville Tunnel will be protected by state-of-the-art fire-fighting technology that can unleash a deluge of water at the touch of a button.

The $3.5 million system can be activated from a control centre, and is designed to tackle the flames before they have chance to grow too big.

Sensors and cameras have been fitted to alert staff, who can then switch on the sprinklers.

The tunnel, which opens today, will benefit motorists travelling along Upper Serangoon Road to Bendemeer Road, Serangoon Road to Upper Serangoon Road, and MacPherson Road to Bendemeer Road.