The enhanced AED-on-Wheels Programme was launched on 25 February 2022 to equip drivers with Automated External Defibrillators (AED) in their privately-owned vehicles. For a start, in phase one of the programme, there are 50 trained participating drivers. They have been trained to conduct Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and operate an AED, and will be alerted to cardiac arrest cases via the SCDF’s myResponder app within a 1.5 kilometres radius of their location.
“Temasek Foundation is glad to partner SCDF for the enhanced AED-on-Wheels Programme,” said Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Board Director of Temasek Foundation Cares. “By equipping Community First Responders (CFRs) with AEDs in their private vehicles, this will enable them to respond quickly during a cardiac arrest emergency and thereby help to improve the victim’s chances of survival.”
The AED-on-Wheels decal that is placed on the trained participating driver’s windscreen.
The enhanced AED-on-Wheels Programme is an extension of the Save-a-Life (SAL) initiative. The SAL was launched by SCDF in 2015 in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Singapore Heart Foundation and the People’s Association. It aims to increase the availability of AEDs in the community and build a network of trained community first responders to respond to cardiac arrest cases.
[From left to right] Dr Kenneth Tong, Home Team Volunteer Network Steering Committee Member, AC Yazid Abdullah, SCDF’s Director Volunteer and Community Partnership Department (VCPD), Ms Woon Saet Nyoon, Chief Executive, Temasek Foundation Cares, WO2 Jonathan Wang Wei Jie, EMS OIC Sengkang Fire Station, Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Board Director, Temasek Foundation Cares, Mr Clement Phua, PBM, Chairman of Punggol Shore Community Emergency and Engagement (C2E) Committee, LTA Rahah Binte Mohamed, Course Commander at Civil Defence Academy (CDA), COL Bob Tan, SCDF’s Deputy Director VCPD, and Mr Ong Chin Kai, Civil Defence Auxiliary Unit (CDAU) officer.
Lieutenant (LTA) Rahah Binte Mohamed, a Course Commander at the National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Training Centre in the Civil Defence Academy, is among the volunteers of the programme.
“As a trained paramedic, I am always supportive of initiatives that help to improve the chance of survival for patients during emergencies. This enhanced AED-on-Wheels programme will make a world of difference to the lives of many, especially to the families of cardiac arrest patients,” LTA Rahah remarked.
LTA Rahah displaying the AED which she received during the launch of the enhanced AED-on-Wheels programme.
LTA Rahah joined SCDF 25 years ago, starting her career as a paramedic before assuming the EMS Officer-In-Charge (OIC) at Bishan Fire Station. She was subsequently appointed as an EMS team leader at 1st SCDF Division in 2012. Despite her current role as a trainer, LTA Rahah still proudly regards herself as a paramedic.
“Once a paramedic, always a paramedic!” exclaimed LTA Rahah. “When I was posted to CDA as a trainer, it does not mean that I no longer serve as a paramedic. Rather, in my training facilitation, the skills and knowledge I impart to my trainees come from my rich experience as a paramedic. It is a skill set that stays with me for life.”
When asked if LTA Rahah drives regularly, she laughed and said, “Actually, it is my husband, an Emergency Medical Technician with the SCDF, who fetches me from work every day. And as a frequent user of my husband’s car, this AED will be very useful for us in case of a medical emergency on the road.”
Mr Clement Phua, PBM, Chairman of Punggol Shore Community Emergency and Engagement Committee (C2E), was also present at the launch. Mr Phua, a Recycling Business Executive and a registered CFR, volunteered to participate in the enhanced AED-on-Wheels programme as he believes it can greatly benefit anyone who is in dire need of medical attention.
“Although AEDs are conveniently located at alternate HDB blocks, there are instances where emergencies do occur on the road where AEDs are not readily available. Having an AED in the car will therefore reduce the time taken to save someone’s life,” Mr Phua commented.
Mr Phua further added, “We in the C2E strongly encourage our residents, especially those who do not know life-savings skills or how to use an AED, to sign up for life-saving courses at any community clubs at no cost. By equipping yourself with such skills, it gives you more confidence in stepping forward to save a life whenever an emergency occurs.”
Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, Coordinating Minister for National Security, presenting an AED to Mr Clement Phua, PBM at the launch of the enhanced AED-on-Wheels programme.
“To increase the availability of AEDs in the community, it is timely for SCDF to expand the AED-on-Wheels Programme beyond the commercial sector thereby increasing the pool of roving AED-equipped CFRs within the community. SCDF encourages more drivers to join the programme in the next few years,” said Assistant Commissioner Yazid Abdullah, Director of VCPD, SCDF.
