SMU Disaster Preparedness Day @ SMU Concourse

It was an eventful Friday at the Singapore Management University (SMU) Concourse on 7 March 08. Organised by students from the Red Cross Humanitarian Network-Singapore Management University (RCHN-SMU), the Disaster Preparedness (DP) Day served to inform the SMU community on the importance of contingency plans in the event of a terrorist attack, as well as to impart fire safety measures and simple first-aid skills. The Community Engagement Programme (CEP) Secretariat was approached by Ms Aw Yi Hui, a student from the SMU organising committee, to lend support at the event.

A large crowd of students and staff from SMU attended the event, and they were drawn to the pull-up display panels explaining the CEP, which were exhibited alongside the SCDF's Ready Bag displays. Information booklets on the CEP, as well as Singapore United lanyard cum handphone cleaners were given out to raise awareness on the CEP. It was delightful to see so many people interested and wanting to know more about the CEP.

The highlight of the day was the First-Aid Competition. A talk by LTA Shahdele from the SCDF was first held to educate the audience on basic first-aid and what to do when someone is in need of medical attention. During the talk, enthusiastic students were called out to demonstrate the different uses of bandages and recovery positions. Following, there was a contest to see who could perform the first-aid skills most accurately and appropriately.

Next up was a Fire Safety Talk by LTA Shahdele, who touched on the causes of fire and how to identify and prevent fire hazards. The audience was also briefed on the different types of fire and the variety of fire extinguishers available. After basic instructions and explanation were given on operating two kinds of fire extinguishers, students were encouraged to take a hands-on approach to put out mini man-made fires on their own!

Nearing the end of the event, the organisers kick-started an adrenalin-pumping campus-wide Treasure Hunt to help students familiarise themselves with the various evacuation points throughout SMU. Finally, the day concluded with a ‘Question & Answer’ segment and questions on the CEP and the Ready Bag were addressed.

All in all, the DP Day event turned out to be educational, enriching and exciting for the SMU attendees. It has definitely fulfilled its purpose by reaching out to the SMU masses in a fun, interactive and engaging way. Kudos to the organising committee of RCHN-SMU!