Police, SCDF launch video system for public to live-stream incidents to emergency services

Members of the public can now live-stream incidents to the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) with the launch of the Emergency Video System, said SPF in a press release on Mar 20.

Jointly developed by SPF, SCDF, Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) and ST Engineering, the system will aid in emergency responses when callers dial 999 or 995 but are unable to communicate the extent of the situation.

When SPF and SCDF operators assess the need to initiate a live video stream, they will send callers a hyperlink via SMS to consent to activating the live video and sharing their location.

Callers can then show operators the incident through their mobile phone’s camera, while staying on the call to receive further instructions from emergency service operators.

This feature would enhance the situational assessments and decision-making of SPF and SCDF Operations Centres, as well as frontline responders, said SPF.

The system will only be used if deemed necessary by Operation Centre officers. Examples of such circumstances include but are not limited to: Incidents involving public disorder or threaten public security, fires, murder, incidents at unclear locations, or medical incidents where the caller is unable to describe a patient’s condition.

If the emergency situation involves both SCDF and SPF, the live stream will be shared between both agencies and their Operation Centres for additional means for triaging and sense making.

Each video stream will be recorded and may be produced in court as evidence when necessary or upon request by the Public Prosecutor. Otherwise, the video footage will not be released to the public.