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SINGAPORE: Better emergency preparedness is what the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) hopes building owners will have. They are encouraged to implement emergency response capabilities through a voluntary scheme.
The new Banyan Fire Station on Jurong Island is expected to reduce emergency response time. Over 90 petrochemical companies are operating there.
Law Minister K Shanmugam said: "Banyan Fire Station is located at the heart of the Jurong Island extension. It will complement the existing Jurong Island Fire Station. Together, they will provide comprehensive and speedy emergency response services throughout the island.
"In addition, SCDF has also taken steps to reach out to the entire Jurong Island Community."
Community engagement is also key to getting more players self-reliant in emergency-preparedness, one reason why the SCDF is reaching out to get building owners involved in its Company Emergency Response Team or CERT scheme.
Started in 2005, the scheme requires premises storing over five metric tonnes of flammable material to have in-house measures to tackle emergencies, before the SCDF arrives.
Mr Shanmugam added: "SCDF will be conducting a series of briefing sessions from next month. The SCDF will partner the National Fire and Civil Emergency Preparedness Council to provide guidelines to facilitate the setting up of voluntary CERTs, which are modelled after the mandatory CERTs."
Some 2,000 industrial and commercial buildings owners are expected to be involved. - CNA/vm
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