Small, but this fire engine's a speedy fighter Satellite fire stations, equipped with these flexible vehicles, will be set up so that fires in estates far away from main stations can be dealt with quickly HOUSING estates far from a fire station may have their own fire-fighting operation set up in a shophouse or the void deck of a housing block. And their key firefighting equipment would be a small but powerful fire engine that can mount kerbs and pavements, and enter narrow lanes of Housing Development Board estates. Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng revealed this yesterday at a seminar on the Singapore Civil Defence Force's (SCDF) plans for the year. The SCDF, which has 13 fire stations around the island, is currently able to reach the scene of 75 per cent of fires within eight minutes, the international standard response time. With satellite stations, it could reach a larger proportion of these fires within eight minutes. "Compact satellite fire stations within housing estates are easily relocated, should there be population shifts," said Mr Wong. "The stationing of fire bikes in neighbourhood police posts have shown that this concept is feasible." The minister also launched the SCDF-designed Light Fire Attack Vehicle yesterday. The vehicle has been made small by doing away with bulky water tanks. It will draw water from the extensive network of fire hydrants around Singapore instead. Unlike conventional fire engines which have to be stationary while the fire hose is in use, the new vehicle can move around the scene of a fire with hoses at full blast. Said SCDF Commissioner James Tan: "It allows greater flexibility to deal with any kind of fire." The vehicle, which will be used to fight fires in housing estates and urban areas, can also handle uneven terrain. All 13 fire stations will soon be given one of these light fire trucks, starting with Ang Mo Kio and Clementi Fire Stations. Conventional fire engines will still be needed for areas without fire hydrants, such as on expressways. Mr Wong also launched the SCDF's new paramedic service yesterday. The force now has a total of 210 paramedics who will be despatched with civil defence ambulances. They have been trained in on-the-scene and prehospital care. FEATURES: Fire Attack Vehicle COMPACT Achieved by doing away with bulky water tanks. FLEXIBLE Can move around scene of fire with hoses at full blast. Conventional fire engines must be stationary. It can handle uneven terrain. Other Stories COE prices tumble by as much as $21,000