The way war is conducted today, our limited resources, the nature of our society and the size of our country, require that our country have a Total Defence capability which involves not only the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) but also the civilian population.

Through Total Defence, every sector of society is mobilised and has a part to play to ensure Singapore's security.

In Total Defence, our people are organised to defend the country against all forms of attack, both military and non-military. Total Defence comprises the 6 pillars viz. Military, Civil, Economic, Social, Digital and Psychological Defence.

Military Defence is having a strong Singapore Armed Forces to deter aggression and protect the country. It also involves citizens doing their part to support the military.

Civil Defence provides for the safety and basic needs of the whole community so that life may go on as normally as possible during emergencies.

Economic Defence is the government, business and industry organising themselves to support the economy at all times. Individuals contribute by working hard and meeting the challenges of development. Those who continually improve themselves to stay relevant play an even bigger role.

Social Defence is about people living and working together in harmony and spending time on the interests of the nation and community.

Digital Defence requires every individual is the first line of defence against threats from the digital domain.

Psychological Defence is each person's commitment to and confidence in the nation's future.

In short Total Defence is about everyone playing a part in the defence of Singapore.

For more details, please visit the Total Defence website.

SCDF is the organisation that spearheads civil defence plans and programmes in Singapore. It believes in being prepared so that minimum disruption to community life, environment and infrastructure is caused in the event of a disaster.

To that end, it garnes all efforts to promote and institutionalise emergency preparedness among the civilian population. This includes the provision of resources - manpower and infrastructure - to educate the civilian population in civil defence knowledge; and to organise and provide training for them in basic civil defence skills. This way, everyone in Singapore should be able to look after himself / herself during an emergency.

Should an emergency occur and lives or property are threatened, the SCDF's regulars, (reinforced by its national servicemen and volunteers if the situation requires) can be counted on to respond round the clock to mitigate the situation.