Launched on Tuesday, it will be run on the theme 'Total Defence. It's Personal. Play Your Part.'

The campaign will thus push the message that everyone can contribute to Total Defence by simply being ready and willing to respond to challenges and to influence outcomes.

Second Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen, speaking at the launch, said as much: 'Singaporeans must have the resolve and determination to overcome any crisis together.'

One of the three real-life examples of aspects of Total Defence in action he cited was of the 17-year-old girl whose lessons in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) later enabled her to save an old man who was having a heart attack.

That, he said, was an example of civil defence.

The other four pillars of Total Defence are economic, social, military and psychological defence.

Dr Ng, who is also the Manpower Minister, also spoke of the need for Singaporeans to be vigilant against the ever-present terrorist threat and new challenges like the chikungunya virus.

He said: 'We will need a 'whole-of-nation' approach for Singapore to counter, overcome and survive these threats.'

The Total Defence Exhibition 2008, which opened on Tuesday, is now at the Singapore Discovery Centre. It features Singapore Civil Defence Force vehicles like the Red Rhino and demonstrations of CPR and fire-fighting skills.

The exhibition will later move to Tampines Central and the Toa Payoh HDB Hub.