[yhw22]

SINGAPORE : Singapore's civil emergency agencies are going to test their readiness to respond to multiple bomb attacks at MRT stations and bus interchanges.
A major exercise will be held over the weekend in the first two weeks of January next year, but the public will not be told in advance of the exact date, time and the venues.

Terrorist attacks on public transport networks in Madrid and London are a grim reminder that Singapore's transport network is just as vulnerable.

In fact, since the attacks, security has been beefed up at the train stations and bus interchanges.

January's exercise, involving more than 20 agencies, will test how quickly and effectively they can respond and get the public to cooperate should simultaneous bomb attacks occur on Singapore's train and bus networks.

Said Eric Yap, director of operations at SCDF, "It is important for the public to understand the kind of instructions that will be shared with them at the point when the service is disrupted and also the instruction for them to evacuate themselves to safety."

Among the scenarios to be tested are an explosion inside the train in a tunnel, an explosion at the train platform, a chemical attack at the train station and an explosion on a double-decker bus.

Civil Defence Commissioner James Tan said, "For the commuters involved in the trains and tunnels, they may experience momentarily some blackout situations, but they don't have to worry. We will have guides; we will have officials to guide them out of the tunnels."

A sense of realism will be injected into the civil emergency exercise, which will simulate a series of bomb attacks at four MRT stations and a bus interchange.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force says when that happens, some MRT stations may have to be closed for a while.

There will also be MRT train disruptions which will extend beyond the affected stations.

And there will be ample announcements both within the stations over the broadcast media to inform the public of these inconveniences.

Both SMRT and SBS Transit will be deploying their staff to assist in the evacuation and to direct commuters to alternative transport services like shuttle buses.

Said Kang Huey Ling of SMRT, "Our staff are all first-aid trained. If there are any passengers who are not well, we will assist them immediately."

Civil Defence Commissioner Tan stressed that while commuters would face some inconveniences during the exercise, there is nothing like being prepared and well-honed for an actual event. - CNA /ct

from: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/051227/5/singapore185511.html

[blue_quartz]

Yay! Time to take bus liao!

[temari]

huh! cannot imagine people have to go work and stil stuck inside these emergency exercise.everyone still push around for sure.maybe even worst.

[Calis]

Dunno will end up having stampede or not? If that really happens, then it'll be real cases of mass casualties.

[kkboy1]

I heard that they are planning to do it on a weekend..

[yhw22]

yes u are rite.

saw from news, 4 MRT and bus interchange will kenna. Even on a double deck bus too.

[gaoxing84]

hahas..time to stay home..

[willfate]

lolx..so muz inform those wrking frenz to be becareful le..~~Destiny

[kkboy1]

If weekend less ppl working lolz, Can confirm which mrt station & bus interchange will be affected?

[willfate]

dun think mention which venue ..~~Destiny

[gaoxing84]

nth de la..is exercise nia..LOL

[willfate]

exercise nia..but some ppl realie need to rush for wrk ..~~Destiny

[yhw22]

if tell u then it is plan already mah. just that on jan 1st 2weekend dont go out lah. then u wont kenna it. or dont take bus and mrt lah.

[BeckHamHam]

ermx..but wkends more pple hanging out wors..

[gaoxing84]

dey wan more ppl to involve?