PARK CONNECTORS

Dr Chong Weng Chiew asked the Minister for Home Affairs what are the steps taken to increase the number of civil defence trained people in Singapore, particularly those trained in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) skills.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Over the past 20 years, SCDF has worked closely with various organisations and the community to train Singaporeans in civil defence (CD) skills, including CPR. To-date, more than 260,000 people have been trained in first aid and CPR. In the last 5 years alone, some 70,000 were trained.

Examples of SCDF's public education and training efforts include:

a. Training members of school uniformed groups in basic CD skills, including CPR;

b. Educating residents on CD skills through Community Safety and Security Programmes (CSSPs);

c. Conducting courses to equip volunteers with the necessary CD skills;

d. Conducting CD Awareness Training Programme at the Fire Stations and Satellite Fire Posts for members of the public; and

e. Conducting Basic Cardiac Life Support Courses for members of the public at the Civil Defence Academy to equip participants with the necessary knowledge on CPR.

The SCDF has also, over the past 2 years, introduced new initiatives to train more Singaporeans in CD skills. The CD Awareness Training Programme is now more accessible to the public as it is conducted at Fire Stations and Satellite Fire Posts, which are conveniently located in residential estates. The SCDF has also trained volunteer instructors to help train members from their own community in CD skills. Specifically on CPR skills, SCDF has developed the musical CPR programme where music is incorporated into the CPR drill to help them learn and practise their CPR skills in an interesting way.

The SCDF also encourages and supports community-led efforts to train Singaporeans in CD skills. A good example is the CPR programme jointly run by the Boys' Brigade, Alexandra Hospital and Central Singapore CDC. More than 2,000 people have been trained under this programme.

With more trained CD instructors, training programmes and community partnerships in place, the SCDF is confident in building up the pool of Singaporeans trained in CD skills.

Dr Teo Ho Pin asked the Minister for National Development, in view of the need to encourage healthy lifestyles among Singaporeans (a) what is the progress in the development of park connectors in Singapore; and (b) whether his Ministry will consider expediting the development.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: Since the Park Connector Network (PCN) was initiated in 1991, we have completed 21 stretches of park connectors, totaling 51 km. These park connectors are very well-utilised by residents for recreation such as jogging and cycling as well as to get to amenities within the neighbourhood.

In view of its popularity, NParks is accelerating the implementation programme by developing 45 km of park connectors over the next 3 years. NParks targets to complete at least 170 km by 2015. This will help ensure that our parks and open spaces are within easy reach of our community.