New Tuas fire station to provide faster response, HazMat readiness

SINGAPORE: A new fire station which specialises in handling hazardous materials (HazMat) incidents is to be sited in the future Tuas Biomedical Park.

To be completed by end 2013, Tuas View Fire Station will serve the biomedical hub, which will house high—end pharmaceutical and chemical production.

It will also serve other new infrastructural developments in Tuas View Industrial Estate.

Complementing the neighbouring Tuas Fire Station, the new station will boost the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s overall capacity and readiness in responding to incidents.

Member of Parliament for West Coast Group Representation Constituency Foo Mee Har was at the groundbreaking ceremony at Tuas View Drive.

She commended the Ministry of Home Affairs and the SCDF for their foresight in infrastructure planning, ahead of growing development in the area.

The fire station also earned the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark label for being environmentally friendly in its design.

Heat generated from air—conditioning units at the new fire station will be channelled to electrical dryers to dry fire—fighting gear.

When ready, Tuas View Fire Station will be Singapore’s 19th fire station and 5th HazMat fire station.

"The Tuas View Fire Station will have specialised capability to respond to highly industrial chemical areas in case there’s emergency," said Ms Foo. "And this fire station, I understand, is able to respond within eight minutes."

— CNA/xq