Mr Shanmugam commended the SCDF, saying: “You deployed your search canines, life detection equipment, and you contributed supplies – trauma equipment, medicines, food, thermal wear, tents – to the Turkish rescue teams.
“I, and all Singaporeans, are proud of you for your spirits and contributions, despite the very difficult conditions,” he said, noting the freezing temperatures and risk of further collapse of buildings.
Mr Shanmugam said that SCDF was approached for earthquake assistance on Feb 6 and agreed immediately. SCDF is classified as a Heavy Urban Search and Rescue Team recognised by the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group.
Contingent leader Colonel Chew Keng Tok told the media that this means that it has the capability to operate on two rescue sites continuously, for 24 hours, over a period of 10 days.
Asked if SCDF could return to the disaster area in Türkiye, Col Chew said that Operation Lionheart would remain on standby for any disaster around the world, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
Operation Lionheart comprises 79 members and is on standby round-the-clock. It was formed in 1990 and has been deployed on 20 search and rescue or humanitarian relief assistance missions.
This was its first deployment to Europe. COL Chew said that the main terrain challenge in Türkiye was the weather, which was in single digits during the day and could go down to -3 degrees Celsius at night.