IN-CAMP training for Singapore Civil Defence Force NSmen will go up from the annual eight days to 18 days this year.
This will allow SCDF to deploy them on active duty at fire stations islandwide, giving them a chance to be involved in peacetime operations. Currently, the men only go for training or opeational tests every year during reservist.
The announcement was made by SCDF Commissioner Peter Lim at its annual workplan seminar on Friday. Seminar participants were also told that SCDF will be introducing a demerit point system to track repeat fire safety offenders and to take appropriate enforcement actions against them.
Under the new framework, repeat offenders will be tracked and flagged from the onset. SCDF also intends to make it compulsory for offenders to commit to a fire safety plan and to remove fire hazards under supervision. If the offenders do not show improvement, SCDF will press for deterrent actions such as temporary suspension of operations.
Speaking at the seminar, Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam, who was the guest of honour, said that SCDF has seen cases where business operators repeatedly breach safety requirements despite 'being hauled to court and fined numerous times'.
'These proposals aim to encourage a change of mindset and to instill self discipline amongst business operators,' he said, adding that more about the system will be released later.
-- ST