SingPost equips some vehicles with defibrillators; drivers get training
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SingPost personnel demonstrating the use of an AED, at the launch of the SingPost AED-on-Wheels programme on March 13, 2023.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO
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SINGAPORE – Postal services provider Singapore Post has equipped some of its vehicles with defibrillators as part of a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) programme that gets first aid-trained drivers to quickly respond to cardiac arrest cases.
SingPost joins Strides Taxi, Grab, ComfortDelGro, Ninja Van, private-hire drivers as well as other motorists who ply the roads with automated external defibrillators (AEDs)
Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim said that aside from equipping the vehicles with AEDs, the drivers are also trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Dr Faishal, who attended the launch of the initiative at SingPost’s Tampines Regional Base on Monday, said: “When a cardiac arrest is reported, community first responders (CFRs) in participating vehicles within 1.5km of the case will be notified by the SCDF via the myResponder mobile application.”
He said responders who are in the vicinity and able to help can quickly proceed to the scene, perform CPR, and administer the AED on the victim.
“In areas with limited AED coverage, the drivers under the AED-on-Wheels programme can make a key difference to the lives of others whenever they ply the roads,” he added.
As at February 2023, these responders on wheels have responded to 152 suspected cardiac arrest cases since the programme was launched in November 2015.
“Together, they are part of more than 130,000 CFRs registered on the myResponder app. Last year, these CFRs responded to over 60 per cent of suspected cardiac arrest cases activated by the SCDF,” said Dr Faishal.
SingPost will have 14 three-wheeler bikes, as well as 11 vans, for the programme. The vehicles are equipped with AEDs, first aid kits and fire extinguishers.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO
The SCDF has trained 25 SingPost drivers to perform CPR, apply first aid, and use a fire extinguisher and an AED.
In total, SingPost has 11 vans and 14 three-wheeler motorbikes involved in the programme. The vehicles are equipped with AEDs and first aid kits provided by the Temasek Foundation, and fire extinguishers from SingPost.
The SCDF programme was piloted in November 2015, when 100 SMRT taxis were equipped with AEDs.
The SingPost delivery drivers participating in the AED-on-Wheels programme had all signed up voluntarily.
Mr Muhammad Anis Othman, 57, said he wants to make a bigger difference to the lives of people caught in emergencies.
Mr Muhammad Anis Othman is one of the SingPost drivers who volunteered for the programme.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO
The delivery driver said he witnessed a traffic accident which involved a pedestrian some time back.
He said he had no first aid skills then, adding that all he could do was to keep the victim conscious while waiting for SCDF officers.
Mr Anis, who has been with SingPost for 27 years, said he will not hesitate to interrupt a delivery to attend to a myResponder case.
“Between my work and saving lives, saving lives is more important. Work can wait, but life will not wait as it can leave a victim any time,” he added.
