SCDF Will Test The Public Warning System Tomorrow (15 Sep); Here’s What The System Is All About

Even though the government rescinded the ban on dining in three months ago, today’s the first time you’ve been brave enough to eat outside.

So you head to the coffee shop for a steaming hot bowl of Wanton Soup, something you’ve not had for quite a while.

You see all the uncles drinking beer at the coffee shop at 10 in the morning, and you feel like everything has finally returned to normal.

But then, just as you’re about to have a taste of that delicious soup, a loud alarm starts blaring violently, and you panic.

Are we being attacked?

Is this the start of World War 3?

Is eating Wanton Soup not allowed anymore?

Worry not, dear reader. There’s no need to panic as this is something the authorities have planned.

SCDF Will Test The Public Warning System Tomorrow

At 6.20pm tomorrow (15 Sep), the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will sound the annual “Important Message” signal islandwide through the public warning system, according to CNA.

There’s no need to be alarmed by the signal, which will sound for a minute, the SCDF said.

Those who have the SGSecure app on their phones will also hear the signal on their devices if they are not on silent or vibration mode.

According to CNA, the signal on the phone will end once the message is acknowledged or it will stop after 20 seconds.

Then, users will receive a brief text on the sounding of the public warning system.

What is this Signal All About?

For those who don’t know, the public warning system or PWS  is a network of sirens that the SCDF placed strategically throughout the country in the 1980s.

The purpose of this system is to warn the public of imminent threats that could endanger lives and property, such as natural disasters and air strikes.

According to SCDF’s website, there are three types of signals that are used to warn the public of such dangers.

These include:

• The Alarm Signal
• The All Clear Signal
• The Important Message Signal

The Alarm Signal is sounded when an air strike or shelling is imminent. Residents should move to a shelter upon hearing this signal.

The All Clear Signal, as its name suggests, is sounded when the threat is over. Residents can leave the shelter when they hear this signal.

The Important Message Signal, which will sound tomorrow, is sounded to alert the population to an important broadcast on the radio.

Members of the public are encouraged to tune in to any local FM radio station or TV channel immediately for a brief message.

But if there’s no danger present, why are they sounding the signal?

According to CNA, this is part of SCDF’s efforts to familiarise the public with the public warning system signals, as it hopes to raise awareness on how to react when these signals are sounded.

So, in the event of a disaster or attack, residents won’t freak out and throw their bowl of Wanton Soup into the air, because they know exactly what to do.

Read Also: 2 Neighbourhood Shopping Malls Visited by Covid-19 Cases But Community Cases Decreased