CIVIL DEFENCE SCHEME (Progress)

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will inform the House the progress of the Civil Defence Scheme in the different constituencies, including the objective of the Scheme, the response from citizens, the nature of training and how his Ministry intends to sustain interest among volunteers.

Prof. Jayakumar (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, the first phase of the Civil Defence Scheme was officially launched on 6th November, 1982, for the 15 pilot constituencies, namely, Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Boon Lay, Boon Teck, Bukit Batok, Bukit Ho Swee, Bukit Merah, Geylang West, Havelock, Jurong, Kim Keat, MacPherson, Marine Parade, West Coast and Yio Chu Kang. The second phase will be implemented shortly for the next 15 constituencies. The remaining constituencies will be included in the Scheme over the next two years.

The objective of this Scheme is to recruit and train volunteers from among citizens, in particular, those who live in high-rise buildings, to be able to undertake basic Civil Defence roles so that in times of emergency they will be able to help themselves, their families, and one another. In conjunction with the community leaders of these constituencies, the Civil Defence Command is working on a target of recruiting at least 100 volunteers in each RC zone. I am glad to say that the response from the residents has been encouraging and the targetted figure has been exceeded, for instance, in Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Boon Lay, Bukit Merah, Geylang West, Jurong, MacPherson, Marine Parade and Yio Chu Kang.

We have been able to recruit almost 6,000 volunteers in the 15 constituencies. More than half of them have begun Civil Defence training.

I am able to report that not only have ordinary volunteers come forward to learn Civil Defence skills but also citizens who are professional nurses and members of the Red Cross and St John's Ambulance Brigade, and other professional bodies, have volunteered their services to assist in instruction. Their contribution will enhance our efforts in building up an effective Civil Defence Corps.

Volunteers undergo a course consisting of 12 one-hour lessons held every fortnight over a period of six months. The lessons cover the basic skills of first-aid, fire-fighting, evacuation and rescue. These one-hour lessons are practical ones, so that language and education level of volunteers is no barrier to instruction. Volunteers are encouraged to handle the fire extinguishers, fold and apply a bandage, set a fracture among other things so that they may be familiar with them in the event that their acquired skills are urgently required. But this training does not end when the 12 lessons are over.

They will be able to participate in followup exercises involving both the volunteers and the reservists. These exercises will provide them with the opportunity to apply their skills as well as acquire a better understanding of the role of the volunteer in the Civil Defence effort.

The Ministry is acutely aware that the interest of Singaporeans and, in particular, the volunteers must be sustained over a whole lifetime as an effective Civil Defence capability must be built up and sustained over decades and generations. We therefore have plans for inter-RC Zone and Inter-Constituency competitions on Civil Defence skills in the near future to sustain the enthusiasm of volunteers and the support of community leaders. We shall also introduce specially adapted training programme in Civil Defence that will also have useful application to meet hazards in the house especially for housewives and elders.