SINGAPORE – Facing leaner manpower and rising demand for medical services due to a greying population, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will increasingly turn to robots to help put out fires and respond faster to emergencies.

Launching some of the prototype robots at the SCDF's annual workplan seminar on Wednesday (April 18), Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said that developing new capabilities is key given the challenges ahead.

Although the elderly formed 13 per cent of the population last year, they contributed to about 40 per cent of the calls for emergency medical services, said Mr Shanmugam. This figure is set to grow as one in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 years and above by 2030.

On top of that, Mr Shanmugam noted that the SCDF will have to deal with another conundrum: reduced manpower because of Singapore's low birth rate.

Based on figures in 2016, he revealed that Singapore has 37 fire personnel per 100,000 people, about one-third the size of the fire personnel in Hong Kong and New York, which stands at 130 fire personnel per 100,000 population. After taking full-time National Servicemen into account, Singapore has 51 fire personnel per 100,000 people.

Mr Shanmugam said: "Technology and capabilities are necessary for us to stay ahead. But most important... is (a) professional, dedicated set of officers – right from the commander, down to the ground operating crew at the front end."

To assist firefighters, SCDF is testing out the Red Rhino Robot, which could be fitted into the new sixth generation Red Rhino vehicle. The robot could help reduce manpower by cutting down the current crew of four firefighters to three.

Equipped with autonomous capabilities to detect heat and extinguish fire using air foam, the robot could be deployed first while a firefighter sets up the main water line. As the robot is still a prototype, more refinements could be made, such as installing reflective materials so that it can withstand heat better.

SCDF is also developing a system to track the exact location of its officers within a building during firefighting or other rescue operations through sensors strapped to their bodies. The sensors could also monitor their vital signs to ensure they are able to continue with their tasks.

In addition, an improved version of the Hazardous Material (HazMat) vehicle could also detect and monitor chemical release from up to 5km away. It is also fitted with a launch pad for drones that are equipped with chemical detectors, and they could be deployed to allow officers to measure the spread of contamination.

While the SCDF moves to strengthen its emergency response through technology, equal emphasis will be placed on improving the skills of its officers.

Mr Shanmugam announced on Wednesday a new government scholarship for paramedics to groom potential leaders with clinical expertise. While the minister did not provide further details, he said that scholarship recipients can pursue their studies in para-medicine and related disciplines in overseas universities.

PUBLIC CAN PLAY A ROLE

Members of the public can also assist the SCDF in the event of an emergency. The SCDF's myResponder mobile application will have a new function for the public to receive alerts on small fires that occur within a 400-metre radius.

As such minor fires tend to occur in rubbish chutes and bins, SCDF said that no training is required to put them out. In addition, the public could also get guidance through the app.

Cases of small fires account for half of such incidents that take place in residential areas, said SCDF. Mr Shanmugam noted that "prompt intervention by residents" not only prevents the fire from spreading, but also "saves valuable SCDF resources which can be deployed to more urgent incidents".

The myResponder app currently alerts registered users on cases of cardiac arrest within their vicinity so that they can provide immediate medical assistance.