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SINGAPORE: Two private ambulance operators contracted by the Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF) will respond to emergency calls with SCDF uniforms and ambulances from Tuesday (December 1).
This follows a new contract between SCDF and the two private ambulance operators: Unistrong Technology and Lentor Ambulance, SCDF said Monday.
Under the new model, the crews of the two operators are trained to respond to a broader range of emergencies, such as mass casualty incidents and unconventional threats involving chemical, biological, radiological and explosive elements.
Crew members of private ambulance operators in training for unconventional threats involving chemical, biological, radiological and explosive elements. (Photo: Singapore Civil Defense Force)
In 2009, SCDF increased its fleet of emergency medical services (EMS) with contracted private ambulance operators due to the increasing number of medical calls. This arrangement between SCDF and the operators was based on a contractor-owned model operated by the contractor, SCDF said.
The private operators owned and maintained their own fleet of ambulances, medical equipment and communication devices, and they also provided manpower to operate the ambulances. Over the past eleven years, private ambulance operators have increased their fleet from 10 to 30 ambulances.
NEW MODEL TO IMPROVE SCDF’S RESPONSE TO EMERGENCIES
Starting Tuesday, SCDF will move to a new model operated by government-owned contractors.
“(This is) to further enhance the SCDF’s ability to respond to a wide range of emergencies and maintain a high level of quality patient care,” SCDF said.
The two contracted operators will provide EMS personnel to operate the 30 SCDF-issued ambulances assigned to them at Singapore fire stations.
Crew members of private ambulance operators in training for unconventional threats involving chemical, biological, radiological and explosive elements. (Photo: Singapore Civil Defense Force)
SCDF will also deliver additional fully equipped ambulances in addition to the 30 ambulances for operators that will serve as additional resources that can be activated to support SCDF during major prolonged emergencies.
The EMS personnel of the off-duty private ambulance operator can also be called in to respond to such emergencies.
The operators will be responsible for the general maintenance of the ambulances, while SCDF will be responsible for the maintenance of all the medical and communications equipment of these ambulances.
The SCDF will also conduct periodic audits of ambulances to ensure compliance with its maintenance regimen.
It will also maintain overall command and control over all medical resources, which may include ambulances and crews of private ambulance operators, deployed in large-scale incidents.
Crew members of private ambulance operators receiving mass casualty management training (Photo: Singapore Civil Defense Force)
Deputy Commissioner Yong Meng Wah, director of SCDF’s EMS department, said the new model will enable SCDF to provide “even more reliable, consistent and high-quality patient care in the face of an increasingly complex operating environment and increased demand for emergency medical services “.
“We look forward to strengthening our relationship with PAOs in our shared mission to save and protect lives,” he said.
NEW PRIVATE AMBULANCE OPERATOR RECRUITED TO PERFORM A UPSKILL PROGRAM
All new private ambulance operators hired from 2021 will be required to attend a three-day training program, which will equip them with the skills to respond to and manage more complex medical emergencies.
About 350 EMS staff members from the two operators have undergone the program since June 2020, SCDF said.
They will also need to attend relevant continuing training, as well as undergo semi-annual recertification tests administered by SCDF.
Crewmembers from Unistrong Technology (right) and Lentor Ambulance (left), the two private ambulance operators employed by the Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF). (Photo: Singapore Civil Defense Force)
Lt. Col. (LTC) Janice Oh, SCDF Senior Assistant Director of the EMS Readiness Branch, said EMS personnel of the operators were evaluated through various theory tests and exercises under the program.
These tests and exercises are in line with the SCDF’s “rigorous standards” for emergency medical care, he said.
A close-up of the Lentor ambulance badge above the name tag. (Photo: Singapore Civil Defense Force)
Staff assigned to SCDF ambulances under the new model will also wear SCDF uniforms to project a cohesive public image, he said.
They can be distinguished by the operators’ insignia worn above the uniform name tag.
