Wednesday, February 15, 2017

[Defending the Lion City] Sounding the Sirens



On 15 Feb at 6.20pm, Singapore's network of Public Warning System (PWS) sirens will sound the "Important Message" signal to mark Total Defence Day.



6.20pm of 15 Feb also marks the time when the British surrendered Singapore to the Japanese Imperial Army in 1942.


"The PWS sounding serves to give due significance and remembrance to this historical moment. It also underscores the importance of emergency preparedness and for Singaporeans to defend our homeland."
SCDF 


Upon hearing the signal, the public can tune in immediately to any local radio station for a brief message on the PWS, or visit the SCDF website to learn more about PWS signals.


"... The PWS also has a long genesis. It was commissioned more than two decades ago in 1991 and builds on plans laid in the mid-1980s that recommended several measures to harden Singapore against air raids. 
To keep the network running 24/7, engineers are rostered to service around seven PWS sirens every day. Crisis planners have also built in several fail-safes to ensure that the sirens will blare when they have to. Each siren is powered by electricity from the national grid and has a back-up battery. The system to sound the siren comprises landlines and radio back-up. 
This long-term approach to national emergency preparedness planning could be better appreciated by the average Singaporean as we live in a country better prepared than most for crisis situations. 
It is a wake-up call one hopes Singaporeans will not be forced to heed. 
When that wake-up call arrives, NEST will be ready. What about you? ..."
David Boey (Senang Diri)




Ex-Wallaby 2010, Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, Singapore Guards, heading to their holding area to prepare for a troop lift by Super Puma helicopters.






#NeverAgain #DefendingtheLionCity #SAF #NationalService #NS50 #WhyMustWeServe #LestWeForget #TotalDefence
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