SCDF deploys rescuers to New Zealand

QX179R SG

A 55-member SCDF contingent will leave Singapore at 0300hrs tomorrow morning (Wednesday 23 February 2011) for Christchurch, New Zealand to assist in search and rescue operations following the earthquake that occurred on Tuesday 22 February 2011 at 1251 hrs (New Zealand time). The SCDF officers are from the Urban Search and Rescue or USAR contingent (codenamed Operation Lionheart).

The Operations Lionheart Contingent will be sent off by Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Law at 0030 hrs on 23 February 2011. The contingent will leave for New Zealand from Paya Lebar Air Base onboard a Republic of Singapore Air Force KC-135 and two C-130 military aircraft.

Led by Ling Kok Yong, Commander of 1^st CD Division, the 55-man team comprises experienced officers from SCDF’s elite Disaster Assistance & Rescue Team (DART). The contingent will be equipped with a host of rescue equipment like fibre-optic scopes, life detector systems and hydraulic cutters and spreaders. Four search dogs are also part of this mission. Many members of the contingent have participated in past rescue operations overseas.

Upon arrival at New Zealand, the Lionheart Contingent will coordinate with the local authorities to be deployed in areas where they are assigned or required.

Background Information

SCDF maintains a rescue contingent on 24-hour standby under the codename Operation Lionheart to provide rescue and humanitarian assistance and support to countries stricken by major disasters. The current mission being undertaken is the 12th such mission. Since its formation in 1990, the Operation Lionheart contingent had responded to 11 overseas missions.

Below is the breakdown of the missions:

• Baguio City earthquake, Philippines                                 - Jul 1990
• Highland Towers collapse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia        - Dec 1993
• Tai Chung County earthquake in Taiwan                        - Sep 1999
• Asian Tsunami Disaster, Aceh, Indonesia                       - Dec 2004
• Asian Tsunami Disaster, Khao Lak, Thailand                   - Dec 2004
• Sumatra Earthquake, Nias Island, Indonesia                   - Mar 2005
• Rokan Hilir Bush Fires, Sumatra, Indonesia                      - Aug 2005
• South Asian Earthquake, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan              - Oct 2005
• Central Java Earthquake, Indonesia                                - May 2006
• Sichuan Earthquake, China                                             - May 2008
• Padang City Earthquake, Sumatra, Indonesia                   - Oct 2009

http://www.scdf.gov.sg/content/scdf_internet/en/general/news/news_releases/2011/scdf_deploys_rescuerstonewzealand0.html

QX179R SG

SCDF sends 55-member team to Christchurch

SINGAPORE: A 55-member Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) contingent left Singapore for Christchurch, New Zealand on Wednesday morning to assist in the search and rescue operations there.

Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam and AC Eric Yap, Acting Commissioner SCDF, were at the Air Base to send off the contingent.

The SCDF officers are from the Urban Search and Rescue or USAR contingent.

Led by LTC Ling Kok Yong, Commander of 1st CD Division, the 55-man team comprises experienced officers from SCDF's elite Disaster Assistance & Rescue Team.

The contingent is equipped with a host of rescue equipment like fibre-optic scopes, life detector systems and hydraulic cutters and spreaders. Four search dogs are also part of this mission.

SCDF said the first flight wave of the contingent is expected to arrive at Christchurch airport at 1400hrs (Singapore time) on Wednesday.

The second flight wave is expected to arrive at Christchurch at 1315hrs (Singapore time) on Thursday, after transiting through Darwin and Richmond.

The Lionheart Contingent will coordinate with the local authorities before being deployed to assigned areas to carry out search and rescue operations.

"It seems to have been a devastating earthquake. The New Zealand Prime Minister has said that they 'may be witnessing New Zealand's darkest day'. We are all deeply saddened at the loss of so many lives and the scale of the destruction," said Minister K Shanmugam at the sending off ceremony.

He added: "We are sending our SCDF officers including the DART Team to New Zealand to help - to rescue lives and help in the post-disaster relief efforts. The SCDF team has the experience, and the necessary equipment for the task.

"They will work with the New Zealand authorities and be deployed where assigned or needed. Our team will stay for as long as necessary. This is part of our show of support to the people of New Zealand during this difficult period."

- CNA/fa

the Bear SG

good good..

i hope the death toll will not climb any further...

QX179R SG

SCDF rescuers reach Christchurch

SINGAPORE: The first Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) team deployed to help with rescue operations in Christchurch arrived in New Zealand at 1335hrs Singapore time.

The 55-member Operation Lionheart Contingent has set up base at Latimer Square and has been briefed by local authorities on the latest ground situation.

The Contingent Commander, LTC Ling Kok Yong, has already linked up with the Local Management Authority (LMA), in charge of the management and deployment of international search and rescue teams.

A 25-member team accompanied by search dogs is currently conducting search and rescue operations about one kilometre west of the base camp.

SCDF said the team is expected to work through the night.

Another contingent is expected to arrive in Christchurch on Thursday afternoon.

The second flight wave is expected to arrive at Richmond, Australia on Wednesday night, at 2250hrs Singapore time.

They will then proceed to Christchurch, New Zealand and the estimated time of arrival at Christchurch is Thursday afternoon, at 1315hrs Singapore time.

-CNA/wk

QX179R SG

SCDF team at new rescue site in Christchurch

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) Operation Lionheart contingent has carried out search and rescue operations at 16 sites since their arrival in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The 55-member contingent arrived in the earthquake-hit city on Wednesday and is now carrying out operations at the 17th site.

SCDF said smaller rescue sections were assigned to different sectors within each site, so as to facilitate continuous operations.

It said search and rescue operations in Christchurch are ongoing.

-CNA/ac

QX179R SG

3rd March update..

http://www.scdf.gov.sg/content/scdf_internet/en/general/news/news_releases/2011/scdf_operation_lionheart55-membercontingentdeployedtochristchurc5.html

QX179R SG

4th March update..

http://www.scdf.gov.sg/content/scdf_internet/en/general/news/news_releases/2011/scdf_operation_lionheart55-membercontingentdeployedtochristchurc4.html

QX179R SG

SCDF extends stay in Christchurch to help in quake relief efforts

CHRISTCHURCH : Some members of the Singapore Civil Defence Force will extend their stay in Christchurch for another week to help with earthquake relief efforts.

This follows a request from the New Zealand government.

Thirty-three members of the 55-strong team will remain to assist with recovery operations until 13th March.

The other 22 members will to return to Singapore on Sunday.

Christchurch was hit by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake on 22nd February, killing more than 160 people and reducing parts of the city to rubble.

Since their arrival in Christchurch following the quake, the SCDF Operation Lionheart contingent has carried out work at 43 sites.

- CNA/ch

QX179R SG

First batch of SCDF officers returns from Christchurch

SINGAPORE : The first batch of Singapore Civil Defence Force officers has returned from Christchurch where the officers have been helping with earthquake relief efforts.

Twenty-one members arrived at Changi Airport on Sunday evening.

They were received by the High Commissioner for New Zealand Peter Hamilton and SCDF Commissioner Peter Lim.

The SCDF Lionheart Contingent carried out search and rescue operations at 44 sites hit by the quake.

The remaining members of the Operation Lionheart Contingent will continue to assist with the recovery operations at Christchurch.

Some of them said the experience has taught them to appreciate life.

SGT Mohd Shahafashah from the SCDF Dart Unit said: "I think I did my best to help them and I am happy to be home to see all my family here."

- CNA/ms