Civil Defence and Emergency Preparedness: Singapore's Experiences Zen KOH, Assistant Chief Executive, Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF); Abstract - This paper provides an overview of the emergency preparedness programme and activities undertaken in Singapore to prevent and manage disasters. A list of Assistive Technology resources relevant to emergency preparedness is also outlined. Index Terms - Assistive Technology, Emergency Preparedness, People with Disabilities
I. INTRODUCTION
THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE IS A SMALL ISLAND CITY STATE WITH A LAND AREA OF ABOUT 600 SQUARE KILOMETRES WITH A MULTI-RACIAL POPULATION OF ABOUT 4.5 MILLION PEOPLE. MORE THAN 80 PERCENT OF ITS POPULATION LIVES IN ABOUT 4,700 HIGH-RISE APARTMENT BUILDINGS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES. THE REPUBLIC ALSO HAS HUNDREDS OF HIGH-RISE COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS, SOME REACHING A HEIGHT OF OVER 280 METRES, MOSTLY IN ITS CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT. Geographically, Singapore is just outside the 'Pacific Rim of Fire' and is spared from the ravages and destruction caused by natural phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The republic has from time to time, experienced some localised man-made disasters and major accidents. Some of which will be outlined in this paper.
II. NATIONAL SECURITY
The global security environment has changed since September 11. Singapore is not spared from its impact, particularly with the arrest of Jemaah Islamiyah members and the discovery of the terrorist network in the region. Besides having to deal with national emergency situations, Singapore has to be prepared to confront the threat of terrorism. A comprehensive range of security measures to deal with the terrorist threat has been put in place to guard against the spread of the terrorist ideology and to preserve racial and religious harmony in Singapore. Security measures may introduce some minor inconveniences, for instance with the tight checks at borders or with the closure of roads. But these are necessary inconveniences and a small price to pay for safety and security.
III. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMME
The Emergency Preparedness Programmes and Disaster Management activities undertaken by Singapore are based on the following principles: 1) Man-made disasters can be prevented and their consequences minimised through a set of comprehensive regulation on fire and building safety, coupled with strict enforcement. 2) Emergency and contingency plans should be developed to deal with disaster should they occur. Such plans should also be tested and hone through regular exercises and drills. 3) The community should be educated on the need for and importance of emergency preparedness. Where possible, they should also be involved in exercises, training and physical preparations. 4) Emergency response and management of disasters should be a co-ordinated multi-agency effort. All available expertise and resources should be co-ordinated and swiftly channelled to the disaster site to maximise the chances of survival of the injured and to minimise damage to infrastructure. 5) Restoration work and the rehabilitation of the injured should be an integral part of the total disaster management programme.
A. Muli-agency Plannings
Multi-agency approach was adopted for the development of emergency or contingency plans covering the following types of disasters: 1) Fires in commercial and residential buildings. 2) Fires in petro-chemical installations and oil refineries. 3) Release and spread of hazardous and toxic materials. 4) Collapse of buildings and other major structures. 5) Accidents involving land, air, sea and rail transport.
B. Drills and Exercises
To ensure that the contingency plans are comprehensive and effective, drills and exercises are conducted by the various emergency authorities. Such exercises and drills also involve the owners and occupants of the building premises as well as the general public. An example is the weekly Morning Fire Exercise conducted by the Singapore Civil Defence Force for various commercial high-rise buildings. In addition, the Singapore Civil Defence Force also conducts regular training exercises to hone the operational readiness and capability of the emergency response personnel.
C. Public Awareness, Education & Participation
An effective emergency preparedness programme involves the population. The Singapore Civil Defence Force implemented community relations programmes for emergency preparedness. The public is kept informed and reminded on the need for emergency preparedness through various communications tools. The underlying message to the public is "Readiness is your only protection". Public education programmes covering fire prevention and safety, evacuation, rescue, and first aid have been developed for different target groups. These target groups include children, housewives, senior citizens, schools, factories and commercial premises. The long-term goal is to have at least one person in each household to be educated or trained in emergency preparedness. An extensive community and grassroots network has also been established by the Singapore Civil Defence Force to promote civil defence and involve the population in emergency preparedness activities, especially rescue, water rationing and blood collecting exercises.
IV. SHELTERS
The Civil Defence Programme, in particular the provision of shelters for the population, is a key component of national security and Total Defence. Apart from building household shelters to protect residents, the Government also recognised the need to augment this with a network of public shelters in selected buildings and underground train stations. This is to provide an additional shield and protection for commuters and members of public who are caught in the open during an emergency. It was with this need in mind that the Government decided in June 1995 to harden 13 of the underground North East Line stations as public shelters. This will add to the existing nine MRT shelters in operation. Today, all the 13 new shelters have been completed and tested to be in compliance with the SCDF's technical standards for shelters.
V. EMERGENCY TIPS
Besides shelter management information the Civil Defence Emergency Handbook provides updated information on civil defence emergency procedures. Apart from conventional topics like First Aid and Fire Safety, the handbook also contains information to raise awareness to threats, such as Anthrax and bomb threats. In addition, procedures to implement 'In-Place Protection', which help prevent harmful vapours from entering homes during a chemical incident, are also included.
VI. COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Singapore Civil Defence Force has consolidated and enhanced its instructional public education programme. The revamped programme was launched in September 2003. The modular-based programme provides both theory and practical training and comprises 5 modules which cover First Aid, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Fire Safety and Casualty Evacuation, Emergency Preparedness for War and Emergency Preparedness for Unconventional Threats.
A. Multi-Lingual Video Broadcast System
To meet the needs of various non-English segment of the community and reach out to wider audiences, a Multi-Lingual Video Broadcast System has been fabricated. With this system in place, the SCDF will be seen as an impartial and capable provider of Emergency Preparedness (EP) information in meeting the needs of specific target groups as well as the general populace. It provides a win-win solution of catering to a wider audience using less manpower for each ethnic group.
VII. MAJOR INCIDENTS
Although Singapore is spared from natural disasters, the republic has experienced some localised major incidents. Two such incidents are outlined as follows:
A. Collapse of Hotel New World
The Hotel New World disaster happened on Saturday 15 March 1986. The 6 level building with 1 basement car park collapsed suddenly killing 33 people. The subsequent rescue effort saved 17 lives out of the 50 people trapped in the rubble. The rescue operations involved both the government and the private organisations. It was unfortunate that the newly formed rescue forces had to gain such valuable experience from a disaster of this magnitude. This experience however enabled the SCDF to re-examine its doctrine of rescue operations, the suitability of its equipment and the operating procedure in conducting rescue operations.
B. Nicoll Highway Collapse
Part of Nicoll Highway collapsed onto the MRT Circle Line tunnel construction underneath on Tuesday, 20 April 2004. The cause of the incident was attributed as incidental. Although most escaped unhurt, there were three casualties and four fatalities. By the end of the 4-day operation, three lives were saved and three bodies were uncovered.
VIII. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR EMERGENCIES
Assistive technology (AT) refers to devices commonly used by people with disabilities to improve one's ability to perform daily living tasks [1] [2]. AT encompasses wheelchair to elevators that audibly announce floors [3] [4]. There is a wide variety of AT that can be used in emergency preparedness [5]. Examples include accessible evacuation plans in Braille, evacuation chairs, and fire alarms that also flash [6] [7]. The followings provide resources on assistive technology for accessible emergency preparedness:
1) NRW for Deaf and Hard of Hearing - U.S. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's guide on national weather service radios that are accessible to persons with hearing disabilities.
2) Use of TTYs with Wireless Phones - U.S. Federal Communications Commission's Fact Sheet for TTY users making emergency phone calls with their wireless phones.
3) Emergency Evacuation of People With Physical Disabilities From Buildings - This report recommends improve building and life safety codes, evacuation technologies and evacuation practices for people with physical disabilities.
4) Disaster Mitigation for People with Disabilities - A Research Resource Guide provided by the Independent Living Research Utilization
5) Nobody Left Behind - Emergency Preparedness & People with Mobility Impairment's resource guide.
6) Safe, Accessible, Free, & Effective Evacuation and Accommodation of People with Disabilities - Project Safe EV-AC's resources on safe evacuation.
7) Emergency Information for People with Visual Impairments: Evaluation of 5 Accessible Formats - Smith-Kettlewell Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centre's guide on fire related evacuations.
8) Disability Research Resources - American Association on Health and Disability's guide to research on accessible emergency preparedness.
9) American Health Care Association Center for Assisted Living Disaster Planning Guide - Developed by the Florida Disaster Preparedness Committee and the Florida Health Care Association, this Resource Manual for Developing a Comprehensive Preparedness Plan serves as a reference tool to assist in the development and implementation of a disaster procedure manual and an emergency operations plan.
10) The Ready Campaign - U.S. public service advertising campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks.
http://www.weather.gov/nwr/special_need.htm http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/ttywireless.html http://www.icdr.us/documents/pwd-emergency-evac.pdf
IX. BEING PREPARED
Being prepared to respond in emergencies is important and the followings are some useful tips for people with disabilities:
1) Create support network to help in an emergency.
2) Inform network where you keep your emergency supplies.
3) Give your network a key to your house.
4) Contact your local government's emergency information management office. Many local offices keep lists of people with disabilities so they can be located quickly in a sudden emergency.
5) Wear medical alert tags or bracelets to help identify your disability.
6) If you are dependent on dialysis or other life sustaining treatment, know the location and availability of more than one facility.
7) Show others how to operate your wheelchair.
8) Know the size and weight of your wheelchair, in addition to whether or not it is collapsible, in case it has to be transported.
X. CONCLUSION
Singapore values public safety and security. It believes in being prepared to face major disaster so as to ensure minimum disruption by any disaster to its community, environment and infrastructure. It garners all efforts to promote and institutionalise emergency preparedness among its people, while developing and exercising contingency plans for a range of foreseeable disasters to be executed by various emergency agencies in close co-ordination. Where appropriate, it also shares its experience and rescue resources to nearby countries in need of assistance.
http://www.ilru.org/html/training/webcasts/handouts/2003/08-27-PB/resources.htm
http://www.nobodyleftbehind2.org/
http://evac.icdi.wvu.edu/
http://www.ski.org/Rehab/WCrandall/EgressIIIWeb/egressintro.html
http://www.aahd.us/page.php?pname=health/links/research
http://www.ahca.org/news/nr060424b.htm
http://www.ready.gov/america/about/index.html
http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/disabled.html
REFERENCES
[1] Behrmann, M. & Schaff, J.(2001). Assisting educators with assistive technology: Enabling children to achieve independence in living and learning. Children and Families 42(3), 24-28.
[2] Cook, A., & Hussey, S. (2002). Assistive Technologies - Principles and Practice, 2nd Edition. Mosby. ISBN 0-323-00643-4
[3] Rose, D. & Meyer, A. (2000). Universal design for individual differences. Educational Leadership, 58(3), 39-43.
[4] Scherer, M. J. (2005). Living in the State of Stuck: How Assistive Technology Impacts the Lives of People with Disabilities, Fourth Edition. Cambridge, MA: Brookline Books: ISBN 1-571-29098-2.
[5] Scherer, M.J. (2004). Connecting to Learn: Educational and Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association (APA) Books: ISBN 1-557-98982-6.
[6] Scherer, M.J. (Ed.). (2002). Assistive Technology: Matching Device and Consumer for Successful Rehabilitation. Washington, DC: APA Books: ISBN 1-557-98840-4.
[7] Swann, J.I. (2007) Promoting independence and activity in older people Quay Books: ISBN 9781856423342
Zen KOH graduated with a Master of Engineering from the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2000, and Bachelor of Engineering with Honors in Manufacturing Engineering and Management from University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom in 1997. He was formerly the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and founder of an Assistive Technology (AT) startup, funded partially by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). He left the company to join the Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF) in 2008 as its Assistant Chief Executive (ACE). He had also served as the Head of the Community Research Network (CRN) with the Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD), a non-profit organization in Singapore, responsible of promoting, supporting and leading Research and Development (R&D) of Assistive & Rehabilitative Technology and the Technology Transfer process. He was a Research Fellow with the Microsystems Technology Initiative in the NUS from 2003 - 2005, prior to joining SPD. His research works include the research and development of biomedical devices for Geriatric Healthcare purposes. He has led joint clinical trials between NUS and Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). His works has been published into several research journal papers and an Invention Disclosure (ID) was successfully filed. He has initiated and coordinated research in AT for the physically disabled, the elderly, and children with special needs, and has experiences in various technology specializations, which include Computer Access, Environmental Control, Mobility Aids, and Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC). He is consulted on regular basis to provide feedbacks and reviews to international and regional organizations such as the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA), the Rehabilitation Engineering Society for Japan (RESJA), the National Council of Social Services (NCSS), Thailand's National Electronics & Computer Technology Centre (NECTEC) and the Singapore Airlines on Assistive Technology-related issues. He has been a part-time lecturer with the National Institute of Education (NIE) on ICT courses for SNOs and SSTs since 2005.