SPEECH BY RADM (NS) LUI TUCK YEW MINISTER OF STATE FOR EDUCATION, MP FOR TANJONG PAGAR GRC FOR MOULMEIN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS DAY ON 15 APRIL 2007, AT BLOCK 102 JALAN RAJAH

Mr Arthur Lee King Chi, Moulmein CCC and IRCC Chairman,

Grassroots Leaders and Residents,

Ladies and Gentlemen

1 History has shown that Singapore’s resilience and cohesiveness during times of crisis over four decades was due to the ability of the people and government to forge a common bond and understanding. The grassroots movement helped to make this possible, by providing the common space, for residents of all races to come together to mix, to share, and to forge a national consensus through its varied community activities.

2 Today event is important in the midst of a changed and ever-changing world and will help to prepare us for and sharpen our responses to emergencies and crises that may surprise us in future.

3 The 911 incident has changed the way we perceive the World. Security is a long-term challenge and terrorist activity is something that the common man in the street has to be prepared for. The arrests of Jemmaah Islamiyah terrorists in Singapore brought home the message that even Singapore is not spared from the threats terrorism and the risks of possible divide in our community. To counter potential divisions along ethnic fault-lines, Inter-Racial Confidence Circles (IRCCs) and Harmony Circles (HCs) were formed. These circles, comprising community members from all racial groups and various religious and ethnic organization play an important role in strengthening the racial ties within the community and should a crisis arise, they can work in unison to calm the ground.

4 To increase the awareness to respond to emergencies at the ground level, PA has rolled out the Community Emergency Preparedness Teams (CERTs) at the Resident Committee and Neighbourhood Committee level to equip them with first aid training, civil defence skills to help to mitigate loss and damage and assist residents during an emergency.

5 Let me urge you to take to step forward and play an active role in emergency preparedness. It is only through increased community involvement that we can further strengthen emotional bonds, deepen trust and foster greater understanding and this is what we want to do under the Community Engagement Programme. It is observed that the very first responders on the scene are usually not the emergencies authorities but the people on the ground. Getting trained is critical if we want to be ready with skills to help ourselves, our families and others in an emergency.

6 Even for those who cannot take a physically active role, they too can move beyond passive awareness to active preparedness. For example, the Ready Bag. It is something to prepare for ourselves and our family- for use in an emergency. Basic items in the Ready Bag include the radio (to tune in during a crisis), important personal documents or copies, first aid kit, and the medical card.

7 A useful item in the Ready Bag is the My Medical Card. It is for residents to record any pre-existing medical conditions such as allergies or prescribed medication, and even the name of the dental surgeon (for access to dental records). During an emergency situation, such information is especially useful to medical personnel. It can make a critical difference between life and death as information on the My Medical Card helps save precious time in trying to find out, for example, your blood group, medical conditions If you are not sure how to fill it up, the next time you need to see a doctor, bring it to the doctor and ask him to fill it up for you. The card can be downloaded from the Ministry of Home Affairs Website, on the My Ready Bag Website.

8 I would like to thank the Moulmein Civil Defence Executive Committee for spearheading the organizing of today’s Community Emergency Exercise and Moulmein Grassroots Organisations for their support. Let work together and be an active stakeholder in Singapore’s security.

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