Joint, Combined Interagency Team Exercises Emergency Response in Singapore

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Brandon Parker | 221102-N-HG389-0130 SINGAPORE (Nov. 2, 2022) -- From left, Capt. Frank Okata,, commander of Singapore Area Coordinator, discusses lessons learned following a fire drill at Sembawang Wharves, Nov. 2, which involved USNS Brunswick (T-EPF 6). During the training event, participants, including representatives from the Royal Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy, local auxiliary police forces, Singapore Civil Defence Force and the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, exercised how they would respond during an actual pier-side fire aboard a U.S. naval vessel. Organizers of the training expect future drills to increase in complexity and participation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Brandon Parker)  

SINGAPORE

11.02.2022

Story by Leslie Hull-Ryde 

Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific

SINGAPORE (Nov. 2, 2022) – An international team conducted a fire drill aboard USNS Brunswick (T-EPF 6), pierside at Sembawang Wharves, Nov. 2, exercising how the combined interagency team would respond during an actual pier-side fire aboard a U.S. naval vessel.

Organized by the Royal Navy’s British Defence Singapore Support Unit (BDSSU), the simulated fire took place on board Brunswick, one of Military Sealift Command’s expeditionary fast transport ship, which was in Singapore for a scheduled port visit.

“The purpose of the full-scale fire exercise is to test fire reaction procedures and protocols and to enable a site familiarization for local fire brigade teams,” said Cmdr. Tim Hutchins, BDSSU’s commanding officer.

“Units temporarily berthed in Singapore rely on host nation support as the Sembwang Naval Installation has no fire-fighting capability of its own. This drill helps prove capability, develop closer liaison and provide an excellent training opportunity for all participants.”

Participants in the Brunswick drill included representatives from the Royal Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy, local auxiliary police forces, Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

“SNI relies on SCDF support, and this exercise demonstrates international cooperation, outside of military circles, at the highest levels: UK, US and NZ military units from SNI engaging with international host nation civilian agencies of the SCDF.

“Not only does this improve cooperation, but also enhances understanding of tactics and procedures and generates a high level of trust between nations”

Hutchins; Capt. Andrew Peretti, master of Brunswick; and Capt. Gan Chea Hui, commander of the Yishun Fire Station in Singapore agree that the key to both a successful drill – and more importantly an actual emergency – is collaboration, cooperation and communication.

“As the lead SNI agency, BDSSU is delighted to coordinate and host this event. We hope it provides a huge degree of confidence to our partners who use the facilities here to know that they can operate in a safe manner and that if the worst does happen, a highly competent and well-resourced assistance team is a few minutes away,” Hutchins said.

“This is merely the beginning of what is aimed to be a long running series of exercises and mutual support and training opportunities with our host nation agencies.”

Each participant gleaned lessons learned from the exercise.

“We really appreciate this opportunity,” Gan said. “It’s not every day we get to train on a real vessel. We have a lot of take-aways.”

Peretti agreed.

“This was good for my crew as we may need to interface with multiple agencies in the event of an actual crisis.”

While this particular drill took place on the MSC vessel, Hutchins explained that as the unit which runs port operations in Sembawang, BDSSU serves many customers as U.S., Australian, New Zealand and British ships moor there where operation in the Indo-Pacific Region.

• Date Taken: 11.02.2022
• Date Posted: 11.04.2022 01:16
• Story ID: 432629
• Location: SG