'Explosions', collapsed buildings, part of multi-agency counter-terrorism drill
SINGAPORE — Operationally ready NSmen (ORNSmen) were roped in to pull victims from the rubble of a collapsed building on Saturday (Oct 28) morning as part of counter-terrorism drill at the Home Team Tactical Centre.
It was the second counter-terrorism drill under this year’s Exercise Northstar, and the first time the demonstration involved some 200 ORNSmen.
Saturday morning’s exercise simulated vehicle attacks in crowded areas, such as a shopping mall and bus interchange. An explosion tore through a bus interchange, caving the walls of a nearby mall, trapping victims. Another vehicle detonated at a pedestrian crossing, sending water pipes bursting.
The ORNSmen navigated through the debris and collapsed ceilings, pulling victims to safety, while staff from the national water and energy agencies worked to restore energy and water supply.
The exercise, led by the SCDF, involved 500 personnel from 10 agencies in total, including the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the People’s Association, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and PUB.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Josephine Teo were present to witness the drill.
Speaking to reporters after the exercise, DPM Teo stressed the importance of staying alert as vehicle attacks around the world are becoming increasingly prevalent.
He said: “We should expect attacks of any form... as we protect ourselves against some form of attacks, in an open society, unless we lock ourselves down completely and don’t move, we are bound to have vulnerabilities, and alertness of individuals help to reduce these vulnerabilities.”
In June this year, a car carrying firearms and a gas canister rammed into a police van on the Champs Élysées in central Paris. French authorities said the driver of the car was killed, in “an attempted attack” on several police vehicles in the popular tourist area.
Saturday morning’s drill also showcased how various agencies could work together in the event of terror attacks.
For example, trained first-aid volunteers from the People’s Association Community Emergency Response Team were at the scene, attending to injured victims, while the MSF also helped to provide temporary shelter and basic necessities to those who were displaced as a result of the bombings.
Exercise Northstar, which is into its 10th edition, is part of ongoing efforts to test a multi-agency response towards possible terrorist attacks in Singapore.
About two weeks ago, the first drill involving a suicide bomber was staged at Changi Airport, which was chosen for its location as major transport hubs are prime targets for terror attacks.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had witnessed the exercise together with some of his Cabinet colleagues.
Previous editions of Exercise Northstar had simulated bomb attacks at a series of MRT stations and terrorist assaults by boat at Sentosa.
In 2015, the drill was conducted at the Sports Hub, where there were mock explosions from a car bomb.
Singapore has ramped up its counter-terrorism strategy in recent years. SGSecure was launched last year to highlight the importance of community response to terrorist attacks.
DPM Teo said: “While we have security personnel, each of us has a pair of eyes and handphone so we can all do our part as well.”
Home Affairs Minister Shanmugam also gave an assessment of the SGSecure initiative, saying it had increased “awareness (among citizens)... but whether our people are fully prepared, I think we are quite far away from that, it’s going to be a lot of hard work”.
