SINGAPORE - The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will be sounding its Public Warning System sirens at 6.20pm on Sunday, in support of Total Defence Day.

The "Important Message" signal will be broadcast through the island-wide network of sirens. Members of the public are advised not to be alarmed by the minute-long exercise.

When the signal sounds, local radio stations will also play a brief message.

The annual exercise marks Singapore's surrender to the Japanese on February 15, 1942 during the Second World War.

In the past, it was held at 12.05pm. But from this year, the SCDF will activate the signal at 6.20pm - the historical time that the British surrendered to the Japanese.

To learn more about the Public Warning System signals and other emergency procedures, visit the SCDF website at www.scdf.gov.sg.