Guest-of-Honour Mr K. Shanmugam unveiled the 3D models for the Marina Bay Fire Station and Neighbourhood Police Centre. -- ST PHOTO: MARYANNE TAN
WITH Singapore's growth as a regional hub - for international activities and events in the central business district (CBD) - comes new safety and security challenges.
And it is precisely to respond faster to potential emergencies in the CBD that a new fire station, co-located with a neighbourhood police centre (NPC), will open in the heart of Marina Bay by 2012.
Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony on Tuesday, Law Minister and Second Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said new developments and high human traffic in the area will pose operational challenges to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).
'In this context, the Marina Bay Fire Station complements the existing Central Fire Station. It will facilitate faster mobilisation and deployment of resources in the area,' he said, adding that the station will be equipped to deal with incidents in high-rise buildings, common in the CBD.
He added that the CBD is an important economic nerve centre and the new station will need to ensure that contingency plans address the concerns and impact on the community, and minimise impact on businesses.
He added that the Marina Bay NPC will allow the police to conduct more proactive policing in the downtown area, promoting a visible police presence and also serve as a deployment base that will 'facilitate the swift response of the police to any terror incidents'.
