SCDF boosts operations with new initiatives
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SCDF's new mini red rhinoThe Singapore Civil Defence Force or SCDF has boosted its operations with several new initiatives.And it showcased some of them at its annual Workplan Seminar today.
Shaffiq Alkhatib reports.
SCDF's role has grown significantly since it combined with the Singapore Fire Service in 1989.
Other than fighting fires, it has also developed specialist competencies to deal with a wider range of hazards.
These include chemical, biological, radiological and explosive threats.
As part of SCDF's efforts to enhance operational readiness, it has put on trial a Remote Control Aerial Monitoring System used to detect and survey hazard zones.
The device is a remote-controlled helicopter equipped with a camera that captures and transmits live videos of situations.
Speaking at the seminar, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng says, SCDF is also undergoing trials with unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs.
"UAVs can be used to detect and provide instant information on chemical and radiological agents and toxic industrial chemicals. Their surveillance capabilities can give ground commanders a birds eye view of the incident even before officers are sent to the area."
SCDF has also developed a new fire-fighting vehicle that's a smaller version of the Red Rhino.
Known as the Mini Rhino, the compact vehicle is slightly bigger than a golf buggy.
It is able to travel along narrow roads, making it easier for officers to move around in places such as Chinatown and Sentosa island.
SCDF's Commissioner, James Tan.
"It is operated with a crew of two men. We can also get them to overcome traffic congestions."
SCDF currently has two Mini Rhinos and they will be rolled out next month.
It is also boosting its efforts at community engagement.
It has launched a web-based learning portal which is as an extension of its Community Emergency Preparedness Programme or CEPP.
DPM Wong.
"This online programme will appeal to working adults who are unable to attend CEPP lessons conducted at the CD Divisions due to their hectic schedules."
The portal would allow participants to complete the theory parts of their lessons at their own time, in the comfort of their homes.
The practical portions will then be conducted at any one of the four Division Headquarters in places such as Tampines and Bukit Batok.
In the past, they would have to attend the full lessons in a classroom environment at the HQs.
The course covers five different modules in areas including first aid, fire safety and casualty evacuation as well as cardio-pulmonary resuscitation or CPR.
Those who've completed their courses will receive certificates from SCDF.
Mr Wong, who's also Home Affairs Minister, adds, that the SCDF will be incorporating the CEPP as part of the Life Skill Module which students in tertiary institutions have to take
The initiative will start later this year with the latest intake of first year students at Singapore Polytechnic.
"Student talents from tertiary institutions will also be invited to design interactive computer programmes that incorporate Emergency Preparedness learning elements. These games will be available on the SCDF website to reach out to children."
--938Live
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Ahhh...new born "Rhino"....Mini Rhino!! Have to look out for these "minis" next time....
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i think its much bulkier than a golf cart....... looks like those fiat doblo, renault kangoo sized vehicle... hmmmm
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big discovery! no wonder it looks familiar. it's styled after the fiat florino!
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The top blinkers looked more like a taxi sign to me ... Made by STK or what ???
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Originally posted by sir_peanuts:
big discovery! no wonder it looks familiar. it's styled after the fiat florino!
i think it is the fiat florino....
notice how low it sinks, heavy load with all that equipment...
unlike the original rhino, confirm cannot go offroad.
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if this platform works well, they can sell back to italy with all those small medieval streets...
no wait, italians wont buy something made in singapore. ya.
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the regular rhino is made by comfortdelgro. maybe the they got a license from fiat to modify it?
it really is the nicest appliance i've seen. i don't see why italy won't buy if they do sell.
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Hmm, what designation (eg, PL for Pump Ladder) will they give for this Mini Rhino ???
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Originally posted by sir_peanuts:
the regular rhino is made by comfortdelgro. maybe the they got a license from fiat to modify it?
it really is the nicest appliance i've seen. i don't see why italy won't buy if they do sell.
dont think you need a licence to modify it, more like how they body the ambulances.
italians rather make themselves then buy. they simply wont.
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Originally posted by gd4u:
Hmm, what designation (eg, PL for Pump Ladder) will they give for this Mini Rhino ???
SCDF may stick with the original callsign - LF..
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Gotta hunt for it from June onwards...haha...Mini Rino...Maybe these will take over the Fire Bikes? Cause it's 2 man-crew as well...And it's compact in size
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Originally posted by HKFS88:
Gotta hunt for it from June onwards...haha...Mini Rino...Maybe these will take over the Fire Bikes? Cause it's 2 man-crew as well...And it's compact in size
dont think so? compact as it may be, it still cannot squeeze and zip thru a jam as fast as a bike.
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Sorry for dampening the enthusiasm here..
Shouldn't SCDF save the R&D costs and concentrate on improving performance management instead? Im not impressed by the new "initiative" anyway.
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Originally posted by MaoXing:
Sorry for dampening the enthusiasm here..
Shouldn't SCDF save the R&D costs and concentrate on improving performance management instead? Im not impressed by the new "initiative" anyway.
elaborate?
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Originally posted by MaoXing:
Sorry for dampening the enthusiasm here..
Shouldn't SCDF save the R&D costs and concentrate on improving performance management instead? Im not impressed by the new "initiative" anyway.
which part of the performance of SCDF you're unhappy with..
is the when an ambulance that is activated arrived at the incident site late or the firemen took too long to put out fires..
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Since when did i mention anything about efficiency and activation time? Where are your thoughts wondering off to people..
My intent, is to ask, "Are these Costs necessary or practical?"
I guess everyone's happy to have contributed to the development of these 'gadgets' from the money we paid to the government via taxes, judging by the level of enthusiasm here.
Sorry for being a prick, i just don't agree with how some minds think.
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Originally posted by MaoXing:
Since when did i mention anything about efficiency and activation time? Where are your thoughts wondering off to people..
My intent, is to ask, "Are these Costs necessary or practical?"
I guess everyone's happy to have contributed to the development of these 'gadgets' from the money we paid to the government via taxes, judging by the level of enthusiasm here.
Sorry for being a prick, i just don't agree with how some minds think.
SCDF can't please everybody & it doesn't just apply to SCDF..
it applies to many other things as well, to some it maybe useful one day who knows..
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Mini Rhino was spooted during HomeTeam Expo on 5/6th Jun. Asked the SCDF fireman and they also unsure how many or where this Mini will be based.. Cause the main fleet is still LFAV & PL
