Forum: Everyone can practise good habits to prevent fires
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We refer to Raymond Lim’s letter “Rope in trained volunteers to maintain firefighting gear” (Aug 5).
We are saddened by the fire at Block 309 Clementi Avenue 4 and extend our condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased.
Under the Fire Safety Act, building owners and occupiers, including town councils and Management Corporations Strata Title (MCSTs), are responsible for maintaining fire safety provisions such as dry rising mains.
These systems must be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure that they remain operational during emergencies.
Following the incident in Clementi, the relevant town council has rectified the dry rising main and tested it further to ensure the system is operational. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is also working closely with relevant agencies to establish the facts and circumstances of the incident.
Together with the National Fire and Emergency Preparedness Council and the People’s Association, the SCDF will continue to promote fire safety awareness and preparedness among residents through the Better Awareness, Safer Homes campaign.
Residents are encouraged to use the Home Fire Safety Checker and adopt good fire safety practices.
These include installing home fire alarm devices for early warning, not leaving lighted materials or cooking unattended, avoiding overloading electrical outlets, keeping common corridors and escape routes clutter-free, and knowing what to do in a fire.
Trained volunteers from the Community Emergency and Engagement Committees also check on common areas and promptly report fire hazards, including obstructed or improperly maintained fire safety provisions, to the town councils or MCSTs, or via the OneService app.
However, the responsibility for maintaining fire safety provisions resides with building owners and occupiers.
Members of the public can strengthen their emergency preparedness by learning basic firefighting, first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills through the SCDF’s free Responders Plus Programme.
They can also sign up as Community First Responders through the myResponder app, which alerts them to nearby suspected cardiac arrest and minor fire incidents.
Fire safety is a shared responsibility. By staying vigilant, practising good fire safety habits and reporting fire hazards promptly, everyone can help build a safer and more resilient community.
Abdul Razak Abdul Raheem
Director
Volunteer and Community Partnership Department
Singapore Civil Defence Force
