Media Factsheet

Media Factsheet

THE HOME TEAM CELEBRATES NS50

50 YEARS OF NATIONAL SERVICE

National Service (NS) was first introduced in the Police Force in 1967, on a part-time basis. The MacDonald House bombing in March 1965 highlighted the importance of a large citizen army and Police force to safeguard Singapore’s security. Full-time NS in the Police was established in 1975, following the Laju terrorist incident in 1974. The role of Police National Servicemen has since expanded to include both peacetime and emergency functions.

NS for the SCDF had its roots in 1976, when full-time NS was established in the Singapore Fire Brigade. In 1981, the Construction Brigade was established in the Civil Defence Command to develop a group of NS personnel who were well-trained in building repairs, reconstruction of installations and restoration of essential utilities. Between 1986 and 1990, the SCDF’s operational capabilities were further enhanced when they inducted more than 70,000 SAF and Police National Servicemen to continue their Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS) in the SCDF.

Since 1967, more than 260,000 men have served NS or are serving NS in the Home Team. There are currently more than 8,500 NSFs and 43,000 ORNSmen in the SPF and SCDF.

There are 19 NS vocations across the SPF and SCDF.

SPF (11 vocations)

·  Airport Patrol

·  C3 Operations

·  Community Engagement

·  K-9 Operations

·  Neighbourhood Policing

·  Operations Support

·  Police Coast Guard

·  Police Tactical Troop

·  Protective Security (ProCom)

·  Public Transportation Security (TransCom)

·  Training

SCDF (8 vocations)

·  Fire and Rescue

·  Infocomm

·  Logistics

·  Maintenance

·  Medical

·  Provost

·  Special Rescue

·  Transport

The Home Team has lined up a series of events throughout 2017 to commemorate 50 years of NS. Our key events are as follows:

SCDF NS Gallery

Date: From 28 April 2017

Venue: National Service Training Institute

Details: The exhibition traces the story and milestones of generations of SCDF National Servicemen through exhibits and paraphernalia (including uniforms and equipment).

The Home Team Show and Festival

Date: 3-7 May 2017

Venue: Singapore Indoor Stadium and surrounding area

Details:

Show & Parade

Weekday Shows: 3-5 May 2017, 7.30 pm

Gala Show: 6 May 2017, 7.00pm

GOH for Gala Show: President Tony Tan

Broadcast Details: Live telecast on Channel 5 on 6 May 2017

This event showcases the work of the Home Team, and how Home Team regulars, NS officers, volunteers and the community work together to safeguard Singapore’s safety and security. The parade segment is helmed by the Home Team - regulars and NS officers, our volunteers as well as NPCC and NCDCC contingents.

Festival

The Festival, which will be held at the open areas between Singapore Indoor Stadium and Kallang Wave Mall, features the work of the Home Team through interactive exhibits, operational demonstrations and vehicle displays. Members of the public can also meet Home Team officers from the different frontline and specialist units. Key highlights are as follows:

·  Vehicle Displays: Showcase of the various Home Team Department’s operational vehicles e.g. visitors can board the vehicles and pose for photographs.

·  Photo Opportunities: Visitors get to be a ‘Home Team officer for a day’ e.g. kids get to dress up in mini-sized Home Team uniforms; there will be roving Home Team officers in operational gear to interact and take photos with visitors.

·  Waterfront Activities: Exciting showcase of the Home Team’s maritime security capabilities e.g. static boat displays, boat rides within Kallang Basin, Police Coast Guard boat chases and stunts.

·  Food Street: Value-adding to the visitor experience, the Food Street provides an opportunity for visitors to refuel and take a break without having to exit the Festival grounds.

Reunion at Old Police Academy

Date: 22 July 2017

Venue: Old Police Academy at Thomson Road

Details: Organised by a committee of Police National Servicemen, the Old Police Academy (PA) will re-open its gates to all SPF National Servicemen, SPF retired and current officers and their families. They can take part in a Heritage Walk within the Old PA to reminisce their formative years spent there. The event provides an opportunity for them to meet their peers and former trainers who have retired from the Force.

The Home Team has commissioned a nine-part web-series - “Frontliners”. Produced by Dominic Ow, the founder of home-grown production company Project Peanut, the web-series tells the stories of Home Team National Servicemen as they serve in the frontlines - in our neighbourhoods, in our communities and on our streets, working day and night, 24/7, to keep Singapore safe and secure.

The prologue - “Respect” - premiered at the official opening of the HomeTeamNS Tampines Clubhouse on 13 February 2017. The episode features sound bites collected from 50 past and present Home Team National Servicemen to present a portrait of NS over the years. It is available for viewing at the Home Team News’ Youtube page.

Episodes 2-9 will be progressively released online on the Home Team News Facebook page from May to June 2017.

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