More than 120 participants join counter-terrorism drill at NUS UTown

Key Concepts

• Exercise Heartbeat: A counterterrorism drill conducted in Singapore to test community readiness for emergencies.
• SG Secure: A national movement promoting community vigilance and preparedness against terrorism.
• Run, Hide, Tell: A key SG Secure advisory outlining actions to take during a terrorist attack.
• Press, Tie, Tell: A first-aid protocol for controlling bleeding.
• Community Responder: Individuals trained to provide initial assistance during emergencies.
• Hawker Center/Sports Hub/Nightlife District: Locations of previous "Heartland Drills."

Counterterrorism Drill at National University of Singapore: Exercise Heartbeat

This report details Exercise Heartbeat, a large-scale counterterrorism drill conducted at the National University of Singapore (NUS) involving over 120 participants, including elite police officers, frontline officers, and community members. The drill aimed to assess the community’s preparedness and response capabilities in the event of a terrorist attack.

Drill Scenario and Execution

The exercise simulated an active shooter scenario within a busy student hub at NUS. Three individuals, acting as mock gunmen, initiated the attack, targeting individuals and attempting to plant a bomb. The scenario unfolded in several phases:

1. Initial Response: Students demonstrated immediate action by providing first aid to “injured” individuals, utilizing readily available resources to control bleeding.
2. Elite Police Intervention: Heavily armed elite police units arrived, each officer carrying approximately 20 kg of equipment. They successfully neutralized a gunman holding a hostage.
3. Bomb Detonation & Fire Suppression: A simulated bomb detonation occurred, triggering a fire. A remotely controlled firefighting robot, operated by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), extinguished the blaze.
4. Coordinated Search & Rescue: NUS security utilized CCTV footage and collaborated with the police command center to locate and apprehend the final gunman. Medical personnel then provided treatment to the simulated victims.

Community Response and Training Effectiveness

The drill emphasized the importance of training community responders to act quickly and remain vigilant during emergencies. Student participants expressed that the exercise was “an eye-opener,” increasing their awareness of potential threats and clarifying appropriate responses. One student stated, “I feel like I know how to be alert and like what sort of things I should keep with me so that in case of an emergency like this I'll be able to like help effectively.”

SG Secure Advisories & Ministerial Statement

The Minister of State for Home Affairs highlighted the significance of a prepared and united community in effectively responding to threats. The Minister specifically noted the successful application of key SG Secure advisories during the drill, including:

• Run, Hide, Tell: This advisory instructs individuals to run if possible, hide if running is not an option, and tell authorities about the situation.
• Press, Tie, Tell: This protocol focuses on immediate first aid for bleeding control – applying pressure to the wound, tying a bandage to maintain pressure, and telling emergency services.

The Minister affirmed that many members of the NUS community demonstrated readiness to contribute to campus security.

Previous Exercises & Context

This Exercise Heartbeat at NUS follows previous “Heartland Drills” conducted in other public locations. These drills have been held at a Hawker Center (a local food center), the former Sports Hub, and a nightlife district. The ongoing series of drills underscores Singapore’s proactive approach to counterterrorism preparedness and community resilience. The drills are conducted in light of observed terrorist incidents in other countries, reinforcing the importance of maintaining vigilance despite Singapore’s relatively secure environment.

Conclusion

Exercise Heartbeat at NUS successfully tested and validated the community’s preparedness for a terrorist attack. The drill demonstrated the effectiveness of integrated response protocols, the importance of community training in SG Secure advisories, and the value of utilizing technology like firefighting robots and CCTV surveillance. The exercise reinforces the message that a prepared and united community is a critical component of Singapore’s national security strategy.