Launch of the Singapore Civil Defence Force – Ninja Van AED-on-Wheels Programme On 7 July 2022

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) – Ninja Van Automated External Defibrillator (AED)[^1]-on-Wheels programme was officially launched by Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development, on 7 July 2022.

 

Launch of the SCDF – Ninja Van AED-on-Wheels programme

The SCDF – Ninja Van programme is the fifth AED-on-Wheels collaboration. Ninja Van is the first courier company to join the programme with 50 Ninja Van delivery vehicles equipped with AEDs provided by COSEM Safety and Security Services Pte Ltd^[2]. These vehicles will also be equipped with fire extinguishers and first aid kits provided by Ninja Van.

SCDF has conducted training for 50 Ninja Van drivers on how to perform CPR^[3] and apply first aid, as well as how to use a fire extinguisher and an AED, through the Community Emergency Preparedness Programme (CEPP)^[4].

 

About the AED-on-Wheels programme

The AED-on-Wheels programme equips vehicles on the move with AEDs, in support of the SCDF’s Save-A-Life initiative. This increases the availability of roving AEDs within the community to facilitate the quick delivery of an AED to a cardiac arrest victim, thereby increasing the victim’s chances of survival.

The programme started in November 2015 with 100 AED-equipped taxis under the SMRT – Temasek Cares AED-on-Wheels programme. The programme was expanded:

• In November 2019 with 50 AED-equipped taxis under the HDT Singapore Taxi – Singapore Heart Foundation AED-on-Wheels programme^[5],
• In January 2021 with 50 AED-equipped Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) under the SCDF – Grab AED-on-Wheels programme, and
• In August 2021, with 50 AED-equipped taxis and 10 Medcare minibuses under the SCDF – ComfortDelGro AED-on-Wheels programme.

Participating drivers are trained to conduct CPR and will be alerted via the SCDF myResponder app to any cardiac arrest incident within a 1.5km radius of the taxi’s location.

As of end-May 2022, 178 taxi and PHV drivers under this initiative have arrived on scene for cardiac arrest and minor fire cases alerted via the myResponder app.

 

Issued by:

Corporate Communications Department

Singapore Civil Defence Force

Thursday, 7 July 2022

 

^[1] _{An AED is a portable device that checks the heart rhythm and sends an electric shock to the heart to try to restore a normal rhythm during a cardiac arrest.}

^[2] _{COSEM was formed in June 2005 to provide local and overseas expertise in safety and security services. COSEM is managed and staffed by experienced ex-employees of SCDF and other professionals.}

^[3] _{Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure that combines chest compressions with artificial ventilation to manually provide blood circulation and preserve brain function in a person with cardiac arrest.}

^[4] _{CEPP focuses on core lifesaving skills and essential emergency procedures with emphasis on practical hands-on engagements to allow them to apply what they have learnt to help others during emergencies.}

^[5] _{HDT Singapore Holdings said in a joint media release with the National Taxi Association on 27 November 2020 that it will shut its business. The 50 AEDs sponsored by SHF that were equipped to HDT Singapore Taxis have been redeployed to ComfortDelGro Taxis.}