FIRE SERVICE BILL

Order for Second Reading read. 4.15 p.m.

The Acting Minister for Social Affairs (Dr Ahmad Mattar): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

At present, the functions of the Singapore Fire Brigade are regulated under Part IV of the Local Government Integration Act which only provides general powers for the Fire Brigade in the performance of its duties. This part of the Local Government Integration Act has become inadequate for a modern fire brigade which has to cope with new dangers and new problems resulting from rapid urbanisation and industrialisation. The Fire Service Bill before this House will replace it.

The object of the Bill is to have better provisions for an efficient fire service. The prevention of fires in high-rise buildings has also been taken into consideration. The Bill allows fire officers to enter and inspect buildings and the fire-fighting facilities in them. Modern high-rise buildings are equipped with built-in fire-fighting devices such as dry and wet rising mains, automatic sprinklers and heat detectors. For firemen to fight fires effectively, they have to- know what facilities exist and where they are located. The Bill will allow the Fire Brigade to conduct fire-fighting and evacuation drills in buildings. The Bill will also provide for an emergency ambulance service, an auxiliary fire brigade, a fire service welfare fund and penalties for miscellaneous offences such as raising false alarms and unauthorised use of water from hydrants.

Part I of the Bill deals with preliminary matters. Clause 2 defines terms used in the Bill. The Chief Fire Officer will be known as the Director of Fire Service while the Singapore Fire Brigade itself will be renamed the Singapore Fire Service.

Part II of the Bill deals with the constitution and administration of the Fire Service. Under clause 3, the Minister will appoint the Director of Fire Service whereas under the Local Government Integration Act, the President appoints the Chief Fire Officer.

Part III sets out the duties and powers of the Fire Service. When there is a fire, fire officers may enter, break into or demolish premises or things to get at the fire. They may shut off or turn on water, gas, fuel oil and electricity supplies. They may also close nearby streets, remove vehicles and persons obstructing fire-fighting operations. They will have the power to control all operations. Clause 8 gives fire officers the right to enter premises for preventive work. Preventive work includes obtaining information that could help in fighting fires, conducting fire drills, ascertaining fire hazards and checking and testing fire-fighting facilities and installations. Clauses 9, 10 and 11 give other powers to the Fire Service - to remove obstructions that will render fire escape difficult, to fix plates to buildings indicating the location of water supply and to place fire alarms and hydrants.

Under Part IV of the Bill, a welfare fund for fire officers will be established. The fund may be used to help needy fire officers and their families especially those who are injured or who die in the line of duty.

Part V deals with the Auxiliary Fire Service. In the past few years, National Servicemen, both full-time and part-time, have been assigned to the Fire Service. It is necessary to organise into an auxiliary brigade all those National Servicemen who have completed full-time service and have gone into the reserves and all those serving part time National Service. Once they have been formed into a capable auxiliary brigade, these National Servicemen could be mobilised for effective service, if necessary.

Part VI of the Bill provides general and formal matters necessary for carrying out the Act. It provides penalties for offences such as the unauthorised use of water from fire hydrants and giving of false alarms to the Fire Service. It also provides the Director of Fire Service with the power to make fire service orders to regulate fire brigade duties and to control the staff members of the Service. Finally, it empowers the Minister to make regulations on matters necessary for the Fire Service to be efficient in the discharge of its duties and for carrying out the purpose of the Bill.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question proposed. 4.20 p.m.

Mr Hwang Soo Jin (Jalan Kayu): Sir, with fire wastage running at an all-time high figure, I believe, of over $70 million in 1979, the introduction of the Bill before the House is timely. To ensure the continued high standard of our fire service, it is important that we should constantly review and update the organisation and the facilities for fire-fighting. What I find disappointing about the Bill is that whilst part of the announced object of the Bill is to make better provisions under the law for the prevention of fire, there is no specific reference to this important aspect under Part Ill of the Bill, which sets out the duties and powers of the Fire Service.

Sir, the Director is well-placed to co-ordinate efforts directed at research into fire prevention in all aspects. He is also in a good position to undertake the responsibility to inform and to educate the public on developments in the techniques of fire prevention. Perhaps the Hon. Acting Minister for Social Affairs would consider a suitable extension of Part Ill of the Bill to spotlight rather more clearly the duties of the Fire Service on fire prevention in the broader sense.

Dr Ahmad Mattar: Sir, it is quite true, as pointed out by the Member for Jalan Kayu, that there is no specific mention of fire prevention in the Bill. However, as we all know, the Singapore Fire Brigade has, in the past, been educating members of the public on fire prevention through its regular fire prevention campaigns and exhibitions. For the information of Members of this House, a Fire Prevention Campaign will be organised by the Brigade at Lucky Plaza this Friday, 29th February. This effort of the Singapore Fire Brigade in educating members of the public on fire prevention will be continued by the Singapore Fire Service, when formed as a result of this Bill.

On the Member's suggestion that the Director of Fire Service co-ordinate efforts in research and education, I am of the opinion that instead of enlarging Part Ill of the Bill I feel that this provision is adequately covered by clause 4 in Part 11 of the Bill. I would certainly take up his suggestion. Clause 4 of the Bill says that the Director shall be charged with the direction and administration of the Fire Service. So I think the suggestion by the Member to include research and education in fire prevention can be part and parcel of the administration of the Fire Service.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Dr Ahmad Mattar].

Bill considered in Committee.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Clause 1 -

The Chairman: The citation year will be altered from "1979" to "1980".

Clause 1 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 2 to 33 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Bill reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.