Purpose of the SCDF Emergency Ambulance Service

The SCDF operates a 24-hour Emergency Ambulance Service (EAS), which is ready to answer to any emergency at any part of Singapore. Qualified medical personnel, who are equipped to handle emergencies, man all the ambulances.

The purpose of the EAS is to deal with life-threatening situations. In an emergency, every second counts. If someone is seriously injured in an accident or suddenly collapses, the victim could have serious medical complications if he does not receive treatment fast.

The speedy arrival of an emergency ambulance could mean the difference between life and death for a seriously injured or ill person. EAS should therefore be called during medical emergencies. Calling 995 for non-medical emergencies could cost lives.

If There is an Emergency

When there is an emergency on hand, dial 995 to call for an SCDF ambulance.

If There is a Non-Emergency

When a case is a non-emergency, the SCDF EAS should not be used. Instead, medical advice can be sought from a family doctor, or a hospital, using your own transport or the public transport system.

Alternatively, dial 1777 for a non-SCDF ambulance.

What is an Emergency

An emergency is an illness or injury that could end in death or serious complication if it is not treated immediately. The following is a guide to cases classified as emergencies:

• Drowsiness or unconsciousness where the person cannot be roused
• Difficulty in breathing or choking
• Sudden or severe chest pain
• Sudden or severe abdominal pain that will not go away
• Dislocated or broken bones
• Deep cuts or wounds with profuse bleeding
• Head injuries that are followed by drowsiness, vomiting, bleeding (from the ears, nose or mouth) or unusual behaviour
• Injuries to chest, abdomen, pelvis or spine (neck and backbone)
• Fall from heights
• Poisoning e.g. inhalation of toxic gases or drug overdose resulting in unconsciousness and respiratory distress
• Crushed injuries
• Severe allergy
• Drowning
• Burns and scalds -deep with white or charred skin or covering a large area bigger than the size of a hand, or covering the face
• Any burn caused by electric shock or by lightning

What is a Non-Emergency

A non-emergency, on the other hand, does not end in death or serious complication if it is not treated immediately. These could include one of the following:

• Toothache
• Slight abdominal pain e.g. gastric
• Slight fever, coughs and colds
• Aches and pains which have been present for a long time
• Minor bruises, slight cuts or broken skin
• Slight burns or scalds
• Mild vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation
• Medical check-up or hospital follow-up

Which Hospital will Patient be Conveyed to

The SCDF ambulance will convey all emergency cases to the nearest restructured hospital with the appropriate medical facility. This is to facilitate early treatment by the hospital's doctor and to enable the ambulance to be available earlier for the next emergency call.

SCDF Ambulance Charges

The SCDF does not charge for any emergency case it conveys to hospitals However, with effect from 15 April 2005, the SCDF charges $165 for each non-emergency case that it ferries to hospital.

Note: The final outcome of the emergency / non-emergency status of a patient will be based on the assessment of the doctor at the Emergency Department of the receiving hospital.

1777 Non-Emergency Private Ambulance Operators

1777 Non-Emergency Private Ambulance Services
(Basic Charges )

Charges are levied by the 1777 Non-Emergency Private Ambulance Operators. This consists of :

- Basic Charges – standard rate for all operators

- Other Charges – covering Provision of Additional Oxygen Supply, Maternity Cases, Psychiatric Cases, etc. Varies from operator to operator

Response time is 30 minutes.

Basic Charges

1. For conveyance to private hospitals, an additional $20 surcharge applies.

2. Should the waiting time be in excess of 30 minutes, a surcharge of $35 per hour applies.

1777 Non-Emergency Private Ambulance Services
(Other Charges )

Click on the hyperlink to view the comparison of other charges among all the private ambulance operators.

What do I Tell the 995 Control Room Operator

To facilitate a faster response to the patient, the 995 caller should do the following:

• Identify yourself and provide a telephone contact number.
• Provide the location and specific address of the patient found.
• Describe the patient's signs and symptoms briefly e.g. male, Chinese, age 67 years, having severe chest pain since 2 minutes ago, breathless sweating.
• Hang up the telephone only after the "995" Control Room Operator does so.
• Send somebody to wait for the ambulance crew e.g. by holding the lift if necessary, and directing the ambulance crew to the patient.
• Standby to assist if required.

3 Common Misconceptions That Contribute To The Abuse
Of The SCDF Emergency Ambulance Service