The basketball court fronting Velocity@Novena Square shopping mall was turned into an evacuation site for some 20 "casualties" yesterday afternoon.

A simulated bomb explosion in a cafe put the responses of the public, rescuers, police and first-aid personnel to the test in an emergency preparedness exercise.

It was organised by the Toa Payoh East-Novena Community Emergency and Engagement Committee, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), the Singapore Police Force and the shopping mall's management committee. The event was also attended by Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP Saktiandi Supaat.

Besides the emergency exercise, some 600 residents in the area were also taught basic firefighting and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills, and were given the opportunity to try on the Hazmat chemical suit, which is used by emergency personnel during a chemical attack.

Children also had a chance to dress up as firefighters and experience sitting on the SCDF's Red Rhino vehicle, which was displayed at the mall.

Adrian Lim