Use of Fire Extinguishers at Lift Lobbies of HDB Blocks and Steps to Improve Community Fire Safety and Response
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the trial installation of fire extinguishers at HDB lift lobbies and measures to improve community fire safety and response. Member of Parliament Ms Hany Soh inquired about the usage of these extinguishers in fire incidents and future plans for community training. Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam replied that the trial would commence later that year with a five-year progressive implementation across HDB blocks. He highlighted a target to train over 80,000 residents through public education programs and encouraged the voluntary installation of fire extinguishers in homes. SCDF also utilizes platforms like the Civil Defence Emergency Handbook and Community Resilience Days to enhance public awareness and fire safety preparedness.
Transcript
20 Ms Hany Soh asked the Minister for Home Affairs since SCDF commenced its trial to install one fire extinguisher at the lift lobby of every two HDB blocks in September 2022 (a) in how many fire incidents have residents since used these fire extinguishers; and (b) whether SCDF is studying how to further improve community fire safety and response.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)’s trial to install one fire extinguisher at the lift lobby of every two Housing and Development Board (HDB) blocks will commence later this year. Implementation will take place progressively over the next five years. As part of this trial, we are also targeting to have more than 80,000 residents trained to use fire extinguishers.
This initiative is part of SCDF’s continual efforts to improve fire safety. Greater awareness and public education are key to this. SCDF has been educating residents on the use of fire extinguishers through public engagement programmes, such as the Community Emergency Preparedness Programme and Community Resilience Days. At these platforms, SCDF encourages the voluntary installation of fire extinguishers in homes and shares information on where hose reels can be found in common areas.
Members of the public can access the SCDF website or download the latest edition of the Civil Defence Emergency Handbook to get fire safety tips and information on what to do when a fire breaks out. SCDF will continue to engage and work with the community to further improve fire safety and response.