HISTORY AND FUTURE OF SCDF’S MARINE DIVISION
SCDF’s Marine Division was established in 2012, taking over the marine firefighting and rescue functions from the MPA.
This was a move that “significantly bolstered Singapore’s maritime emergency response capabilities”, said SCDF in its factsheet.
In 2017, the Marine Division took on the additional responsibility of consequence management for chemical, biological, and radiological incidents out at sea.
“Such incidents require specialised skills, equipment, and coordination, and the Marine Division has proven itself capable of managing these complex operations,” said SCDF.
While the Marine Division only had two vessels in 2012, this number has since expanded to six, with plans to grow the fleet to 10 by 2029.
With a larger fleet, SCDF said it will be better equipped to manage multiple incidents simultaneously, particularly in scenarios where there is a surge in maritime activity or emergencies.
The new fleet will be equipped with technology such as improved precision manoeuvring systems, autonomous navigation, and remote firefighting capabilities.
The Marine Unmanned Surface Vessel is also on trial, which serves to reduce the operational risks faced by SCDF’s responders.
In addition to the fleet expansion, the Marine Division plans to increase its number of marine bases from four to six by 2035.
The four bases currently in operation are Brani Marine Fire Station, Loyang Marine Fire Post, West Coast Marine Fire Station and Gul Marine Fire Post.
The new Marine Division Headquarters will be built beside Brani Marine Fire Station, and the two facilities will function as one base.
“This expansion provides broader coverage across Singapore’s waters, allowing for faster and more efficient response times to incidents,” said SCDF.
“With more bases strategically located across Singapore, the SCDF will be able to ensure that its resources are well-positioned to handle emergencies in different parts of the country’s maritime domain.”
