Career Track of SCDF Paramedics

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) if he will provide an update on the career track of paramedics in the Singapore Civil Defence Force; and (b) when can the Paramedic Level Four programme be reinstated and whether there are any recent reviews conducted on this.

Mr Teo Chee Hean: Newly recruited SCDF paramedics first go through an 18-month Emergency Medical Specialist (EMS) course at the SAF Medical Training Institute (SMTI). Upon completion of the course, they are posted to the various fire stations where they respond to medical emergency cases as part of our Emergency Ambulance team. As they progress in their careers, paramedics may take on greater responsibilities such as instructor positions at the Civil Defence Academy or staff positions at HQ SCDF and SCDF Divisional HQs. In 2010, SCDF raised the career rank for diploma entrants to its scheme of service to the Senior Officer rank of Captain. This is to improve the career development and career advancement prospects of SCDF officers, including paramedics. SCDF is currently conducting a review of paramedic jobs, so as to create more Senior Officer positions on the paramedic career track.

SCDF reviews its training programme regularly with its Medical Advisory Committee to ensure that paramedics are well equipped for their roles. A review in 2009 led to the discontinuation of SCDF's Paramedic Level 4 programme. The review had covered protocols and procedures applicable in the local context as well as the efficacy of interventions that would improve patient outcomes.

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The paramedics in SCDF are certified as EMS practitioners by the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC), which is internationally recognised for its high standards. Such international benchmarking ensures that SCDF's paramedics are well trained for our emergency ambulance service, which has the priority of stabilising the condition of patients and conveying them swiftly to hospitals for emergency treatment.