The SCDF marching contingent was led by CPT Lim Hoong Ta, from the Fire Safety Department, HQ SCDF. PHOTO: SCDF
As our nation celebrated its 59th birthday on 9th August 2024, Rescue995 is pleased to share a recap of SCDF’s participation in the National Day Parade (NDP) 2024.
Based on the theme ‘Together, As One United People’, NDP 2024 celebrated the collective strength of all Singaporeans, coming together to create a better future for Singapore.
The marching contingents from the SCDF and the National Civil Defence Cadet Corps (NCDCC) had been rehearsing for the NDP over the past four months. 77 SCDF officers from HQ SCDF, the four Land Divisions, and the SCDF Marine Division formed the SCDF marching contingent, while the NCDCC marching contingent was made up of 50 NCDCC cadets from 24 schools.
Lieutenant (LTA) Phua Wee Lik, the Discipline and Security Officer of 1st SCDF Division, was the Chief Trainer for the SCDF and NCDCC marching contingent. LTA Phua, together with his team of trainers, meticulously honed in on the drill standards during each training session.
Over the past four months, we spent every Wednesday and Saturday rehearsing together, training for numerous hours under the sun. I am very proud to have walked this journey with such a committed and enthusiastic group of marchers. Their hard work is a testimony to their patriotism and love for Singapore,” said LTA Phua.
During the numerous rehearsals at the Padang, LTA Phua and the SCDF trainers (in red) refined the drills of the SCDF and NCDCC marchers. PHOTO: SCDF
Hours before the NDP, Commissioner Eric Yap met the various groups of SCDF officers who were involved and thanked them for their hard work in preparing for Singapore’s 59th birthday.
Commissioner Eric Yap speaking to SCDF’s first responders who were forward deployed in close vicinity to the Padang. PHOTO: SCDF
Commissioner Eric Yap met officers from the SCDF, the Singapore Armed Forces, the Ministry of Health, and the Singapore Red Cross who were on contingency standby for the NDP. PHOTO: SCDF
Commissioner Eric Yap with the SCDF officers who were involved in the Total Defence 40 Dynamic Defence Display. PHOTO: SCDF
Commissioner Eric Yap with the SCDF (top), NCDCC (middle) and Civil Defence Auxiliary Unit (bottom) marching contingents. PHOTO: SCDF
The SCDF and NCDCC marching contingents at the parade. The NCDCC contingent was led by Senior Cadet Lieutenant Tan Jia Rong Juston (saluting in bottom photo) from Singapore Polytechnic. PHOTO: SCDF
To commemorate 40 years of Total Defence, volunteers from the Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps and the Home Team Volunteer Network formed the Volunteer Contingent. PHOTO: SCDF
The SCDF Contingent Commander, CPT Lim Hoong Ta, recounted his favourite segment of the NDP. “During the Onward March segment, our contingents got very close to the spectators as we marched up the spectator stands. We were surrounded by people who waved and cheered at us. Watching Singaporeans from all walks of life and age groups come together as one to celebrate this special day was truly befitting of the NDP theme ‘Together, As One United People’,” he said.
The SCDF marching contingent engaging spectators during the Onward March segment. PHOTO: SCDF
To mark 40 years of Total Defence in Singapore, NDP 2024 also featured the Total Defence 40 Dynamic Defence Display (TD40 D3) – Together We Keep Singapore Strong. The four-part segment consisted of a choreographed operational display in which over 400 participants across various agencies and the community responded to various ‘threats and disruptions’ across the land, air, sea, digital, and civil domains. TD40 D3 highlighted the importance of coordinated crisis response and community resilience in times of crisis.
SCDF officers operating the Unmanned Firefighting Machine during the TD40 D3 segment. PHOTO: SCDF
SCDF’s Electric Pump Ladder (E-PL), which was launched in April 2024, made its debut. It has a fully-digitised platform that controls vehicle functions with a tablet. With its all-wheel steering capability, the E-PL can navigate tight spaces with ease. The E-PL’s lower centre of gravity and balanced distribution of axle load gives it exceptional stability and agility compared to other vehicles of similar size.
SCDF’s new Electric Pump Ladder. PHOTO: SCDF
Officers from SCDF’s Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team waving to spectators at the end of the TD40 D3 segment. PHOTO: SCDF
We may live in a world fraught with uncertainty, but one thing is for certain. Only by standing united and rallying together as one Singapore, can we overcome the challenges of our time and shape our future.
Rescue995 wishes everyone a happy National Day!
