The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) fully agree with Mr Edwin Pang that SAF medics attached to the SCDF ambulances must be well-trained and able to handle emergencies. (“Ensure NSF medics are trained to handle emergencies”, ST, 26 May 2017).

Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) are already an integral part of the SCDF’s Emergency Medical Service (EMS) teams. The NSFs work alongside regular paramedics to attend to EMS cases, including critical emergencies. Currently, at least one out of each three-man EMS team in an SCDF ambulance is an NSF.

SAF medics attached would be fully qualified as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), equivalent to SCDF EMTs currently manning the ambulances.  The three-month pilot project allows familiarisation of both SAF and SCDF personnel in working together while maintaining professional standards of emergency care.

RADM Tang Kong Choong
Chief of SAF Medical Corps

AC Yazid Abdullah
Director, SCDF Medical Department