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.

How Are BCP Managers Compensated?

Ever wondered how much Business Continuity professionals ought to be compensated? Or how about if there is any real difference between a certified or "non certified" BC professional?

I've managed to secure a draft compensation report. However, do note it's only limited to Canada practitioners. Here's the download link:
http://www.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/5/2/3752086/compenstion_benchmarking-canada-2011-final-complimentary_summary.pdf

Stay tuned for more regional draft reports coming up!

How To Ensure Safety of Tourists

I recently came back from a short trip in Japan and given my hopeless capability in speaking the Japanese language, it became a convenient habit of me to approach anyone and converse in English hoping that the locals could understand what I was trying to say and respond in kind.

As someone who often looks out for common building features and observing cultures of other countries pertaining to disaster and emergency response, I would often find similar facilities (granted they follow their own Codes of Practices) as in Singapore.

However, I noted one thing that was definitely useful to tourists should a national emergency take place and folks like us would (at that point of time) be interested to know where we should go to ensure our own safety. In the pictures attached (taken while in Shinjuku), is a typical street map indicating an open safe refuge (or what most of us would call, a designated assembly area).

I doubt every country would have such commonly available info right on the streets.

Aviation Foam Tenders in Action!

Well,I was going through my PC and came across a footage my pals recorded back when I was still in the ARFF units :)

Typically, its a process we call "pump and roll". One that involves any of the deployed foam tenders to discharge its foam compund onto the intended "fire target" while rolling around and closer to the aircraft.

Do note that not all foam tenders can perform such a maneouver and it will depend very much on your vehicle model.

So, enjoy the clip!

Pandemic Planning Resources

It's been quite some time since the H1N1 pandemic has been the talk of the town in the emergency planning arena as well as in everyone's surrounding community.

At the current moment, we do know that countries such as China will be mass producing (or have already started) vaccines that may possibly minimise and hopefully eliminate the H1N1 strain of virus to some targetted groups of its population. Of course other major pharmacuetical companies are also still in perhaps the final testing phase.

While we await for a "cure" to fully crystallize, it is still important for emergency planners, business continuity specialists, as well as all relevant and responsible parties be aware of key resources that will enable them to better prepare and plan for a greater scale of outbreak in the near future.

As such, I've found the following link to be relatively comprehensive and useful for almost everyone to reference with, pertaining to pandemic planning:

Click Here for Pandemic Planning Resource

Always be prepared!

Jakarta New Bombings: Is Your Organisation Ready?

Despite past bombing events at Jakarta or in the Indonesian region, terrorists (as it seems to be for now) have once again struck a successful blow to the tourism industry at The Ritz Carlton, JW Marriots. All this taking place even with the current ramped up security and anti-terrorism measures by the country and the security agencies.

As this blog is being posted, I am being swamped with live radio and television broadcast reports provided by various terrorism experts on what actually happened in Indonesia today, and how all this tragic events could have happened once more.

Definitely very sad.

But what can we learn at the individual or even at the organisational level?

Regardless of where one lives in today, your country's security agency would have by now been ever more prepared for the eventuality of a terrorist strike. It's obvious from all these recent events that no country is spared.

This means that organisations residing in these coubtries would already have in place a certain form of business coninuity plan or currently embarking on a business continuity management journey. For some organisations, this would also be known as emergenecy planning or preparedness. Relevant plans should by now be put in place including the necessary infrastructure required to support such recovery operations.

As an indvidual, you should be familiar with the plans in place in your organisation, such as the faithful practising of annual fire evacuation drills and so on. Of course, there are other equally important procedures one should be familiar as well, to ensure your best chance of survival, as well as recovery to your organisation's business operations.

So, are you prepared?

National Level Exercise: Ex North Star VII

Singapore is currently working on a 3 day duration national level emergency management exercise, codenamed "Exercise North Star VII", which will see the involvement as well as actual deployment of various Home Front agencies (think Police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force).

Held annually to test the Home Front agencies' capabilities as well as response level, this series of exercise also aims to educate as well as seek the involvement of various strata of the common population. Such joint exercises will thus allow all involved agencies and government entities to better understand their own capabilities as well as seek improvement in their delivery standards in the event of a real crises.

So, what's this year's scenario based on? From what I roughly gather (thanks to my busy shift schedule) it will generally involve a "rouge" terrorist body moving across the island.

Judging by the level of planning involved, there's no denial that the responding agencies are definitely taking this whole nation-wide exercise seriously. How do I know? Well, while returning home from my night shift this morning, I was already caught in a 1 hour jam along a major expressway (for Singapore's traffic standard, that's rather long, considering our nation's geographical size). Look at the picture above, and you'll see (look carefully) a convoy of police patrol cars on the left lane, which I took from my Samsung PDA phone (not bad picture quality for a 2 mega-pixel unit, right?).

Stay tuned for more updates.

HAZMAT Response: ARFF Capabilities

Are you in an Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ie, ARFF) unit?

Is your unit's primary mission solely to respond to aviation incident and disasters?

To what extent does your ARFF unit respond and gets itself involved when it comes to "unique" situations?

These are some of the questions you'll need to ask yourself if you're a real ARFF responder. Seriously.

I recall my early days in my ARFF involvement, when I was briefed on our unit's roles, response and capabilities. Throughout the training, I was often drilled to respond soley (and mainly) to aircraft incidents, and a lesser aspect with regards to structural fire scenarios. Had it not been for my earlier training with the local city civil defence where structural fire-fighting and special incidents' response was part of my bread and butter, I'd probably be shivering right now, thinking of what flies on board those passenger and military aircraft on a daily basis.

Having basic knowledge of hazardous materials' response (HAZMAT) versus full experience and response know-how does make a BIG difference to life and death not just to your clients, but also to your fellow fire-fighters.

Having HAZMAT suits and owning the latest detection and monitoring device is just one part of the response and mitigation formula. Having adequate knowledge as well as practical training and full competency forms the greater part of this common sense equation.

Because of this sole reason, I'm therefore a serious advocate when it comes to drills relating to HAZMAT response. Not just doing the basics, but right up to foreseeable multiple HAZMAT scenarios.

What about your organisations'?

What is your response capability to HAZMAT incidents?

Fire Fighting Cats?

Yes it's true. No, you're not dreaming.

But can they do it the way professional fire-fighters can?

Well, it seems in an article I read by "Asian Security Review", the Potala Palace located in Lhasa, Tibet has been marked as a major fire risk due to its architectural design and construction, which consists mainly of wood. You can bet it's highly combustible considering the grandeur in its design, as well as the quantity involved.

In fire engineering terms, it can be classified as a high fire risk premise, owing to its high fire load.

The site has ben identified as UNESCO in 1994 as a World Heritage Site and has since then, had a resident team of fire-fighters on high alert during the dry season. But what about the cats? What's it got to do with them?

Well apparently back in 1984, a fire occurred as a result of an electrical short circuit. Owing to the lack of immediate response capabilities, a portion of the site was badly damaged, only after the resident monks and nearby residents assisted in the fire-fighting intervention.

As these sites usually have mice in these areas (yeah, you know it was coming to this didn't you?), there exist a "threat" where they would end up chewing on the wiring insulation and thereby enhancing the fire risk exposure. Do you fire-fighters chasing after rats or mice in your neighbourhood? Neither do they in Tibet.

Now we know what the cats are for... "MEOW"

The Selection of Elite Fire-Fighters

There was a recent media coverage regarding the training of "elite" fire-fighters in Singapore. This was to allow the general population to understand how the whole process of selecting elite fire-fighters are done.

To be specific, it's the selection of D.A.R.T. personnels. Or, better known as "Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team" personnels.

For those who belong to this unit, or know of anyone from this unit, it is understandable that one will link such persons to rescuers who are determined, alert, sharp in thinking skills, highly innovative (in sourcing for alternative rescue tool and making use of natural elements to aid in rescue operations), and so on and so forth. But above all, one who is superbly fit, not only physically, bot also mentally as well.

The coverage mentioned that the selection involves a streneous series of tests involving carrying multiple lengths of hoses over certain distances, hoisting of large sized dummies (not easy if you're of Asian frame-sized) over certain heights, navigating through confined spaces, wading through simulated flooded basements, and many others tasks.

But here's the kicker: all within a continuous period of 28 hours!

As a fire-fighter myself, I have not personally been subjected to such selection tests, but I can imagine this maybe the reality when called upon to respond to a large scale nationa-wide national emergency.

What's your view?

Recruiting, Training, And Maintaining Volunteer Fire Fighters

BCM Vs EM

BCM Vs EM. What's that?



If you're in the field of emergency management or emergency response long enough, you'd probably be able to guess that it literally means "Business Continuity Management versus Emergency Management". Nothing anymore complicated as that.

Have you ever come across situations where folks in our field (or maybe not) have been using these terms loosely? Having said that, is there actually a difference between these two?

For starters, we all know that Emergency Management typically resides in the field of "fast action" emergency response to a given hazard or crisis, and involves response plans and standard operating procedures for situations involving fires, floods, road traffic accidents, rescue operations, and so on (you get the idea). It is generally a subset or a niche in the management field pertaining to managing emergency response situations. Those in the EMT, fire and police organisations would be well aware of this definition and the exercises that come packaged with it.

Business Continuity Management on the other hand, has its roots starting from the commercial and banking industries, and typically involves an overall organisation-wide business continuity plan and requires various internal stakeholders as well as its associated vendors to provide a detailed response plan to support the organisation's critical business objectives (usually decided by senior management in advance). It conceptualizes that main objectives to be fulfilled by the organisation in times of identified crises such that its minimum servic edelivery standards will not be overly compromised.

In a nutshell, that's what these two fields of niche management are about. And if you're in the field of BC, you'll be well aware that "emergency management or response" will form part of your business continuity plan.

Business Continuity Management Framework: The Easy-To-Use, Comprehensive, Business Continuity Tool (third Edition, 2008)

One Week On...

It's been nearly a week plus or so, since my country initiated DORSCON Alert "Orange" and since then, has already scaled down to Alert "Yellow".

What does this mean?

Essentially, national resources would not be as strained as before, with more of these resources and other government efforts devouted to other much more critical tasks. Internally as an organisation, you can definitely say that the fear and stress level has gone down at least a few notches down.

As a emergency response division within my organisation (in case you're not aware I'm currently in the aviation industry), resumption of daily training in terms of physical aspects has also gone back up to normal level as well. However, PPE items such as BA face masks still need to be constantly sterilised and witnessed by the Station Officer.

Yep, drills are back to ops normal now.

Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope everything turns out well.

H1N1 Scaling Down of Alert Level

Currently, WHO has signalled that the current strain of influenza virus H1N1 may not be deemed as deadly as before. And judging by the symptoms shown by suspected victims in reported countries, they all seem to be in a rather "stable" and controlled condition.

Pending WHO's final decision, my country may similarly scale down on it's current DORSCON level from "Orange" status back down to "Yellow". This is essential as it will lessen the current strain on PPE resources to the Nation as well as various government agencies.

For thos of us currently in the fire stations and so on, we will constantly maintain a high state of PPE donning alert.

Hmm... hopefully it really scales down coming Monday?

Swine Flu (aka H1N1 virus) Preparation

Currently as I write this post, my country's been upgraded to DORSCON Alert "Orange" in response to WHO's upgrading of the (now known as) H1N1 flu pandemic virus.

At my station, we've stepped up the relevant preparedness measures in accordance to my organisation's business continuity plan.

These steps include:

a) Screening all incoming reporting duty crew and isolating them in a designated isolation room if signs of fever or flu like symptoms are observed.

b) Suspension of all forms of scheduled physical training (with hte exception of classroom lectures and tutorials).

c) All ambulance crew to respond with surgical gloves and N95 mask.

d) Preparation for possible conversion to a 2 Team shift system

That's basically what I can say here as the rest are rather specfic in nature and yes, confidential as well.

What's your organisation or unit doing?