SINGAPORE: Response time to emergencies on Sentosa could soon be halved, with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) lining up plans to build a new fire station to cater to the increase in infrastructure and population density on the island.
The proposed four-storey building will replace the four-year-old Sentosa Fire Post, according to a Request for Information (RFI) posted on June 19 on government tender website GeBIZ.
Besides providing emergency fire and ambulance services, security has also been cited as "a top concern".
"To
provide sufficient first-response coverage at the most timely
intervention to the island in any case of terrorist threats, SPF
(Singapore Police Force) Special Operations Command will also deploy a
unit at the same premises to effectively perform its function swiftly
and effectively in responding and containing any terrorist or criminal
attacks on the island," said the SCDF's RFI document.
The SCDF
said the new fire station will be completed by the end of 2014. It is
seeking project management consultancy services for the development of
the new station, estimated to cost S$19.8 million, according to tender
papers.
Currently, intervention for fire outbreaks are provided
first by the Sentosa Fire Post, which houses a four-man crew, and one
light fire attack vehicle.
Additional resources from the nearest
full-fledged Alexandra Fire Station would take an average of 15 minutes,
under good traffic conditions, to reach the most remote part of
Sentosa.
The SCDF is hoping to cut the response time for fire
rescue to eight minutes after it has been notified. In addition, the
station could also provide emergency response coverage to the
Harbourfront area.
Noting that daily visitor numbers to Sentosa
increased by more than two-fold within the last three years, the SCDF
said in tender documents: "The increase in infrastructure, as well as
population density and activities, incidents on Sentosa Island would
have a greater impact in terms of the extent of damage and casualty
numbers."
Today, Sentosa receives over 19 million visitors
annually and is home to more than 200 attractions, hotels, beach bars,
retail outlets, as well as the Sentosa Cove residential enclave, which
has more than 4,000 residents.
In its media response, the SCDF
said there are plans for this new station to incorporate environmental
friendly features, such as the use of NEWater in the fire station and
the installation of solar panels at various parts of the station. The
Sentosa Fire Station will also supplement the existing 16 fire stations
island-wide.
Sentosa Leisure Group's Rangers Department director
Koh Piak Huat told MediaCorp that the planned expansion of the Sentosa
Fire Station "is part of the island's long-term safety and security plan
to boost the island's resilience and responsiveness during
emergencies".
Regulars like Michelle Goh, 27, who visits Sentosa
at least once a month, felt the enhanced security and fire prevention
measures are essential in providing a faster response.
"Visitors will definitely feel safer and tourists will also feel more secure to spend long hours on the island," she added.
- TODAY
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