Question:
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what proportion of SCDF’s frontline firefighting force consists of full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) as opposed to regular personnel; (b) what assessments have been made regarding the long-term feasibility of transitioning frontline firefighting roles to a fully professional force; and (c) whether the Ministry has considered the risks associated with deploying NSFs in firefighting roles, given the demanding physical and operational requirements of the job.
Answer:
Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development:
1. Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) form about 42% of the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s (SCDF) frontline firefighting force, which is also supplemented by Operationally Ready National Servicemen (ORNSmen) (comprising about 9% of firefighters on duty) and volunteer firefighters from the Civil Defence Auxiliary Unit.
2. As a small country, and even more so with an aging population, we cannot afford to have a large enough standing force to meet all our civil defence needs, including responding to national emergencies. Hence, SCDF NSFs and ORNSmen have to be an integral part of SCDF’s workforce, performing critical frontline roles like firefighting, alongside regular officers.
3. SCDF’s frontline duties inherently involve risks. Thus, SCDF ensures that all its officers performing these roles are professionally trained and well equipped to carry out their duties safely and effectively.
4. The NSFs in the firefighting vocation learn the same firefighting skills as regular firefighters. They complete a four-week Basic Rescue Training and a 12-week Fire Fighter Course at the Civil Defence Academy (CDA). Firefighting training at the CDA is conducted with realistic ‘live' fire simulators to provide our firefighters the confidence to operate in real firefighting and rescue incidents. All officers must complete a series of proficiency and certification tests before they can be deployed as firefighters.
5. After graduating from CDA, training continues to be an integral part of a firefighter’s daily routine. Firefighters undergo exercises and drills during each shift, to familiarise themselves with their respective roles and functions as part of a crew, as well as to maintain their individual fitness and skills competencies.
6. SCDF has protocols to ensure both training and operational safety and these are reviewed regularly. In addition, SCDF’s firefighters are well equipped with advanced firefighting and personal protection equipment. They operate sophisticated state-of-the-art vehicles and high-tech equipment, such as the Light Fire Attack Vehicle, and firefighting robots and drones, to achieve the mission of saving lives and property, while maintaining personal safety.
