SINGAPORE : The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)
is expanding its marine firefighting capability.
It is acquiring a new fleet of custom-built
firefighting and rescue boats - on top of the two existing API API
firefighting boats.
These could include a Heavy Marine Fire Vessel which
has the ability to shoot 1,000 litres of water per second in one
go. It can also pump water at the same rate of 50 fire engines put
together.
The SCDF said it will also be setting up three new marine
operations bases.
It said the expansion will help in its new operational role of
marine firefighting and rescue which it took over from the Maritime
Port Authority of Singapore from April 1 this year.
S Iswaran, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, said:
"Singapore is one of the busiest seaports in the world. We are a
maritime hub and our port facilities operate on a 24/7 basis.
"Coupled with the impending opening of the International Cruise
Terminal and the Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal in 2013, it is
incumbent on Singapore to have the capacity and the capability to
deal with any major maritime incident quickly."
The SCDF is also launching a new training system which encompasses
a virtual 3D simulation to solve crisis.
- CNA/ms