Singapore Civil Defense Force Enhances Training, Updates Communication, and Reflects on China Earthquake Relief Efforts

Singapore Civil Defense Force SCDF

Identifying Information

From April 1, 2024 onwards, the refresh trning for Fire Station Emergency Medical Technicians will be enhanced. The on-site trning duration is being exted from nineteen to twenty-three days. Please consult your Deputy Commander of Fire Stations or unit for further information.

Effective July 1, 2024, SCDF's notification ser ID will change from 91449746 to 80709995. This change follows the government-wide SMS Ser ID announcement on June 13, 2024 and help recipients recognize and authenticate SCDF messages.

Bukit Batok Fire Station will no longer host its Saturday Open House from September 30, 2023 to February 2025. Please refer to the updated list of avlable fire stations for visits.

Tampines Fire Station will not hold its Saturday Open House on October 26, 2024. For alternative visit options, please consult the updated list.

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Mission

In the aftermath of a major earthquake that struck Eastern Sichuan, China on May 12, 2008, SCDF dispatched an overseas contingent named Lionheart to provide assistance. The mission involved searching for survivors amidst collapsed buildings and offering relief efforts in areas hit by landslides.

Sichuan Earthquake 2008 Overview

On May 12, 2008, a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck Eastern Sichuan, China causing significant loss of life and property damage. Official reports indicate over 69,000 deaths, approximately 18,000 people missing, and nearly 375,000 injuries, with about 5 million displaced.

SCDF deployed a contingent led by LTC Francis Ng How Juah, Commander of the 4th Civil Defense Division. The team consisted of fifty-five experienced personnel from SCDF's Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team DART, specializing in complex rescue scenarios. They were equipped with essential tools such as fiber-optic scopes, life detection systems, hydraulic cuttersspreaders, and four search dogs.

Based out of Hongb Township in Shifang city, the Singapore contingent was one of four foreign rescue tea arrive promptly post-earthquake. The team conducted numerous searches across collapsed structures over five days, successfully recovering five deceased persons from debris.

Beyond rescues, the contingent also played a role in rebuilding efforts including constructing a temporary bridge on May 19, 2008 following massive landslides. As operations shifted towards recovery phases, plans were made for their return to Singapore.

Prior to deployment, an appreciation ceremony was hosted by Vice Governor Huang Yanrong of Sichuan province for the rescuers and a banner was presented to the Contingent Commander.

The first group of 39 members returned on May 22, 2008 via two Singapore Armed Forces C-130 rcrafts. The remning team comprising 16 members left China on a commercial flight by May 23, 2008.

This revised content streamlines and rephrases the original text into English for better and coherence while preserving key information about updates to trning schedules and notification channels as well as historical context regarding the SCDF's involvement in the Sichuan earthquake relief efforts.
This article is reproduced from: https://www.scdf.gov.sg/ops-lionheart/missions/sichuan-earthquake-(2008)

Please indicate when reprinting from: https://www.o062.com/Seismological_Bureau/SCDF_Updates_2024_Emergency_Response.html