Launch of the Singapore Civil Defence Force - ComfortDelGro AED-on-Wheels Programme on 26 August 2021

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)–ComfortDelGro Automated External Defibrillator (AED)¹-on-Wheels programme was officially launched by Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development, on 26 August 2021.

 

Launch of the SCDF–ComfortDelGro AED-on-Wheels programme

The SCDF–ComfortDelGro programme is the fourth AED-on-Wheels programme. Under this programme, 50 ComfortDelGro taxis and 10 ComfortDelGro MedCare² minibuses will be equipped with AEDs. These vehicles will also be equipped with fire extinguishers and first aid kits provided by ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited.

 

SCDF has conducted training for 60 ComfortDelGro drivers on how to perform CPR³, apply first aid, use a fire extinguisher and an AED through the Community Emergency Preparedness Programme (CEPP)⁴.

 

 

About the AED-on-Wheels programme

 

The AED-on-Wheels programme equips vehicles on the move with AEDs, in support of the SCDF’s Save-A-Life initiative. This increases the availability of roving AEDs within the community to facilitate the quick delivery of an AED to a cardiac arrest victim, thereby increasing the victim’s chances of survival.

 

The programme started in November 2015 with 100 AED-equipped taxis under the SMRT–Temasek Cares AED-on-Wheels programme. The programme was expanded in November 2019 with 50 AED-equipped taxis under the HDT Singapore Taxi–Singapore Heart Foundation AED-on-Wheels programme⁵, and in January 2021 with 50 AED-equipped Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) under the SCDF-Grab AED-onWheels programme.

 

Participating drivers are trained to conduct CPR and will be alerted via the SCDF myResponder app to any cardiac arrest incident within a 1.5km radius of the taxi’s location.

 

As at 1 July 2021, taxi and PHV drivers under this initiative have arrived on scene for 167 cardiac arrest cases.

 

 

_{¹ An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that checks the heart rhythm and sends an electric shock to the heart to try to restore a normal rhythm during a cardiac arrest.}

_{²  ComfortDelGro MedCare Pte Ltd is a specialised medical escort transport business catering to the mobility needs of the elderly and persons with disabilities. MedCare drivers are trained to administer first aid, CPR and operate an AED.}

_{³ CPR or Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency procedure that combines chest compressions with artificial ventilation to manually provide blood circulation and preserve brain function in a person with cardiac arrest.}

_{⁴  CEPP focuses on core lifesaving skills and essential emergency procedures with greater emphasis on practical hands-on engagements to allow them to apply what they have learnt to help others during emergencies.}

_{⁴ HDT Singapore Holdings has since said in a joint media release with the National Taxi Association on 27 November 2020 that it will be folding its taxi business. SCDF will re-deploy the 50 AEDs sponsored by SHF that were equipped to HDT Singapore Taxis.}

⁵ _{HDT Singapore Holdings said in a joint media release with the National Taxi Association on 27 November 2020 that it will shut its business. The 50 AEDs sponsored by SHF that were equipped to HDT Singapore Taxis have been redeployed to ComfortDelGro Taxis.}