Heartbeats in sync – how the SPF and SCDF collaborate to respond to a terror attack in a tertiary institution!
By: K Shreeyaa
It’s another Monday morning at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College West, and students begin to stream in. But as the security officers go about their routine to ensure the safety of students and staff, they notice an unattended blue backpack at the campus’ carpark.
The response is swift. Security officers quickly direct students to evacuate the immediate area. All of a sudden, a man approaches the students and a loud blast is heard!
As students and staff run for safety, first responders from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) arrive at the scene to establish control and provide help.
This was the scene at Exercise Heartbeat, a counter-terrorism and emergency preparedness exercise organised by the SPF with the support of the SCDF, in close collaboration with ITE College West and public-private partners in infrastructure management.
Exercise Heartbeat tested the coordination between Home Team agencies and community stakeholders in response to a simulated terror attack in a tertiary institution. As the Police and SCDF officers went through their paces, they were observed by partners and guests, including Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State (MOS), Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development.
Students and staff of ITE College West showcased their application of the key SGSecure advisories “Run, Hide, Tell” and “Press, Tie, Tell” before Police and SCDF officers arrived on the scene. The Civil Defence Lionhearters, a group of student volunteers trained by the SCDF in emergency skills, also attended promptly to the injured, demonstrating the importance of learning such capabilities before they are needed.
Suddenly, armed terrorists in a car sped into the parking lot, firing at unsuspecting bystanders. Screams filled the air.
But the attackers were immediately confronted by the Emergency Response Team (ERT) officers who drew them away from the crowd.
With the assistance of the Ground Response Force (GRF) officers at the scene, the ERT officers swiftly eliminated the threat before the situation could escalate.
However, this is far from the conclusion of Police operations. Two armed terrorists were holding students hostage in the Indoor Sports Hall. GRF officers respond to the situation by negotiating with them.
“I want the reporter!” one attacker demanded. Just then, other officers initiate a move from the back of the hall and take down the two attackers.
Once all the security threats had been neutralised, Police officers continued to remain vigilant. The successful takedown of the armed terrorists concluded one part of Exercise Heartbeat, with SCDF officers making sure that those injured received care. It was an effective, well-coordinated Home-Team-wide effort by the officers, with excellent support by community partners.
We all have a vital role to play in building our resilience against terror attacks. As MOS Faishal noted, “We must remain vigilant, acquire emergency preparedness skills and build good relationships with one another, to strengthen our community’s resilience.”
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