Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Home Affairs Mr Teo Chee Hean visited SCDF"s Marine Command Brani Base at Brani Way earlier today.The visitprovided DPM Teo with an updateof SCDF"s marine fire fighting capabilities[1] and an insight to the future development plans for marine fire fighting in Singapore.

SCDF"s marine elements are presently operating from two fire stations -West Coast Marine Fire Station and Brani Marine Fire Station " with two marine fire vessels and four fast response craft. A third marine fire station is scheduled to be built in the eastern part of Singapore. By 2018, an additional five state-of-the-art fire and rescue vessels comprising two rapid response and three heavy capacity fireboats, will be added to the existing fleet. The establishment of all marine fire stations and marine assets will not only provide comprehensive fire and rescue coverage in Singapore"s territorial waters, but will also further strengthen the confidence that port users have in Singapore as a major global hub port.

During the visit, DPM Teo was shown the base"s facilities and also met the staff of SCDF Marine Command, getting a firsthand account of the roles and responsibilities of a marine fire fighter. As part of his visit, DPM unveiled a plaque to commemorate the opening of SCDF Marine Command HQ and Brani Marine Fire Station.

[1] The marine fire emergency response in Singapore, previously undertaken by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), was officially handed over to SCDF on 1 April 2012.