With reference to the Straits Times article published on 20 March 2014 titled, “Call for public vigilance against bush fire threat”. We would like to clarify that contrary to what was reported in the article, SCDF did not have to wait for the arrival of NParks personnel at the gantry to the Lornie Trail. In fact, the NParks personnel were already at the gantry to open it* to allow the SCDF Red Rhino and Fire Bikes to enter the trail to mitigate the fire. The prompt meet up between SCDF and NParks personnel, as well as coordination with PUB personnel at the Central Catchment Nature Reserve during an incident is possible due to the contingency plan established among the agencies. (*During any emergency, if SCDF’s accessibility is impeded, SCDF firefighters are equipped with breaking tools to conduct forcible entry to perform fire and rescue operations.) From January to 15 March 2014, the SCDF had responded to a total of 405 vegetation fires. There were no reported injuries for all the vegetation fires and most of these fires were minor in nature such as the fire involving the Central Catchment Nature Reserve area on 5 March 2014. The major vegetation fires include the one at Aviation Park Road on 12 Mar 2014 which involved pockets of fire in an area measuring about 8 football fields in size.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 10:58:26 +0000
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