Forum: A simple change to improve emergency preparedness
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As an emergency physician who also developed the SCDF myResponder app, I’m very heartened to read the article “Emergency broadcast system to alert S’pore public to disasters via their mobile phones: Edwin Tong” (Aug 21).
It highlights the enhancement of services to prepare Singaporeans for emergencies – cell broadcasts are useful for alerting people geographically when there is an emergent situation that may affect a large number of people.
However, it does not solve the problem of those that need to call for ambulances. In 2024, the Singapore Heart Foundation published a population survey showing that only 75 per cent of respondents correctly identified 995 as the emergency ambulance number. The others provided incorrect answers or were unsure.
This situation is worse for tourists, who may be more familiar with numbers like 911, 112 or 119.
I would like to suggest that telcos send a message to users when cellphones enter the Singapore network to highlight the relevant emergency numbers here.
It is a simple, low-cost public health education measure to improve emergency preparedness and help make Singapore a safer place for everyone.
Ng Yih Yng (Dr)
