Welcome to Medical Response Force

The MRF is the medical arm of the CBRE Defence Group, which also includes 36th and 39th Battalions, Singapore Combat Engineers. Established in 2001, it is a tight outfit comprising about 120 combat-trained MOs and medics. Although small, every single soldier in the unit, from doctors to Medical Decontamination/Transport Vehicle (MDTV) drivers, is medically trained.

Since the modern military landscape shifted from conventional fighting methods to unconventional ones such as biological and chemical warfare, there was a crucial need for the SAF to develop its CBRE defence capabilities, explained Lieutenant Colonel (Dr) Muhammad Idu, Commanding Officer of MRF. "The MRF was formed to address the need to manage CBRE-affected casualties."

Captain (CPT) (Dr) Collin Ho elaborated: "The reality of today's military situation is that the chance of us facing an unconventional war is higher - chemical weapons can be easily manufactured, and the effects of an attack can be devastating."

Working with the combat engineers, the MRF supports the CBRE Defence Team in providing decontamination and treatment services to victims of CBRE attacks. While regular combat medics are trained to handle typical battlefield injuries such as gunshot wounds and blood loss, MRF medics are taught to identify a unique type of injury.

"The symptoms of a chemical attack are very different; for instance, a casualty may present (symptoms such as) seizures or a fit," said CPT (Dr) Ho. "This is because chemical agents essentially cause your body to tense up. You produce a lot of fluids and your lungs fill with water. You also start seizing uncontrollably. Eventually, you will not be able to breathe."

The MRF deployment process can be divided into five sections (see "Decontamination and treatment process" section below). The first is the extrication and evacuation of casualties. This is followed by a "hasty decontamination" of casualties, before they are triaged according to the severity of their conditions.

They are then sprayed and scrubbed down thoroughly in the MDTV's decontamination unit.

After this, medics scan them to ensure that they are free of contaminants, and send them on to the MO for treatment.

As part of their training, medics familiarise themselves with the skills required in all five sections, before they specialise in a particular section.

Said Military Expert (ME) 1 Ibrahim bin Hamzah: "The specialisation makes us more proficient and allows us to work faster in our respective sections. But generally, we all know what each section does." The 25-year-old Force Sergeant is one of the few Regulars in the unit, which is largely made up of full-time National Servicemen (NSFs).