Tampines Fire Station | SCDF 2nd Division HQ
Tampines Fire Station is one of the most significant emergency response facilities in Singapore’s eastern corridor, serving not only as a fully operational fire station but also as the headquarters of the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s 2nd Division, which oversees emergency operations across the entire east of Singapore. Whether you are a family looking to visit on a Saturday morning, a teacher planning a school excursion, a resident wanting to know how to reach SCDF in an emergency, or simply someone curious about what goes on behind those large red gates on Tampines Industrial Avenue 3, this guide covers everything you need.
From the exact address and operating hours to bus routes, open house visit details, preschool tour arrangements, and the community programmes available to Tampines residents, this is the most complete resource on Tampines Fire Station available, all in one place.
Opening Hours:
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
What Is Tampines Fire Station?
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is a uniformed organisation under the Ministry of Home Affairs that provides emergency services including firefighting, technical rescue, and emergency medical services, and coordinates Singapore’s national civil defence programme. Courts Singapore Established formally when the Civil Defence Act was enacted in 1986, the SCDF became an independent organisation under the Ministry of Home Affairs. After the Hotel New World disaster in 1986 and subsequent events, the MHA merged the SCDF with the Singapore Fire Service on 15 April 1989 to streamline rescue services.
Today, the execution of SCDF operations is undertaken by Division Commanders and their personnel on the ground. Each Division HQ commands line units such as fire stations and fire posts across its territory.
The Role of Tampines Fire Station | HQ of the 2nd Division
Tampines Fire Station is not an ordinary fire station. The 2nd Division oversees operations in the east of Singapore, including Paya Lebar and Changi Airport. The headquarters are located in Tampines, co-located with the Tampines Fire Station. Courts Singapore This makes it one of the two largest fire stations in Singapore, the other being Paya Lebar Fire Station, and one of the most strategically important SCDF facilities in the country.
The 2nd Division’s area of responsibility is vast and operationally complex, covering densely populated residential towns such as Tampines, Pasir Ris, and Bedok, as well as the critical national infrastructure of Changi Airport and the Paya Lebar Air Base precinct.
What SCDF Does Every Day
SCDF is committed to protecting and saving lives and property. Through swift response and rapid suppression of fires, the force ensures the safety of the public. Through rapid medical response and critical pre-hospital emergency care, SCDF saves lives and brings hope to people in their hour of need. With specialised skills and expertise in urban search and rescue, the force is always prepared for complex rescue operations.
The personnel at Tampines Fire Station are on standby around the clock, every day of the year, ready to respond to fires, medical emergencies, road traffic accidents, industrial incidents, and hazardous materials situations across eastern Singapore.
Operational vs Visiting Access — What You Need to Know Before Visiting
Tampines Fire Station is an active, operational emergency facility. This means that while the public is warmly welcomed during the weekly Saturday Open House, the station’s primary function is emergency response. Tours might be cut short if an emergency call comes in, a reminder that these are active fire stations, not museums. Visitors should come with this understanding, and treat the opportunity to visit as a genuine privilege.
Where Tampines Fire Station Sits in Tampines
The fire station is located within the Tampines Industrial Estate, positioned along Tampines Avenue 10 and accessible from Tampines Industrial Avenue 3. It sits in the northern part of the Tampines planning area, away from the main residential and commercial clusters of Tampines Central, which means it is purposefully positioned for rapid access to major roads and expressways including the Tampines Expressway (TPE) for fast deployment across the eastern region.
Nearby Landmarks for Easy Identification
For those navigating to Tampines Fire Station for the first time, the following landmarks help with orientation:
- NTUC FairPrice Xtra Tampines (emart) Located nearby along Tampines Avenue 10, a convenient reference point for those arriving by bus or car
- UWCSEA (United World College of South East Asia) Tampines campus along Tampines Avenue 5, approximately 5 minutes’ walk from the nearest bus stops
- Tampines Quarry Park, a recreational green space in the broader vicinity of the industrial estate
- Tampines Expressway (TPE) accessible within minutes from the fire station, explaining its strategic positioning for rapid response across eastern Singapore
Tampines Fire Station Contact Information
Emergency Contact Numbers
These are the emergency contact numbers every resident in Tampines and across Singapore should know. Save them on your phone now.
Purpose | Number |
Fire and Rescue Emergency | 995 |
SCDF Non-Emergency Ambulance | 1777 |
Police Emergency | 999 |
The emergency number 995, which most Singaporeans are familiar with today, was introduced in 1984. It replaced earlier numbers and has remained Singapore’s primary fire and rescue emergency line ever since. Always call 995 for fires, structural collapses, road traffic accidents, or any life-threatening emergency requiring SCDF’s response.
Contact for General and Visit Enquiries
For non-emergency enquiries including booking open house visits, arranging educational group visits, or general questions about SCDF operations, you can reach SCDF through the following:
Open House Booking Hotline: 6848 1525
SCDF Website: www.scdf.gov.sg
Online booking form: Available at the SCDF website under the “Visit SCDF Establishments” section
Visiting Tampines Fire Station
The SCDF Fire Station Open House | Every Saturday Morning
Members of the public can visit the Fire Station Open House in person. Guided tours are available at fire stations for members of the public on Saturday mornings over two time slots 9am to 9:50am or 10am to 10:50am.
These enriching tours are free to the public, making it a great weekend activity for families. Available at 18 stations across the island, the Open Houses are 50-minute guided tours that bring you face-to-face with the tools, technology, and the men and women that keep communities safe.
Tampines Fire Station is one of the most popular stations to visit, given its status as the 2nd Division HQ and one of the two largest fire stations in Singapore. Families, children, and community groups regularly visit this station on Saturday mornings.
What to Expect During the Open House at Tampines Fire Station
Visitors get to see the emergency vehicles up close, not just from the outside but with detailed explanations of their capabilities. You can even climb into the vehicles for a closer look. The highlight for many visitors are the demonstrations where firefighters show how quickly they can suit up in their protective equipment as well as how they respond to various emergencies.
A first-hand account of a visit to Tampines Fire Station captures the experience well: one of the firemen walks up with packs of orange, child-sized raincoats. The kids put on the rain coats then get individual coaching sessions to learn how to operate the fire hose. Visitors also get to meet the fireman’s pole. The firemen in Singapore have their own style of sliding down the pole, a method that allows them to carry equipment in both hands and still slide down safely.
The typical open house programme includes:
- A welcome briefing on SCDF’s mission and the role of Tampines Fire Station
- A tour of the fire station, including the engine bay, equipment stores, and living quarters
- Close-up viewing of emergency vehicles including pump ladders, aerial ladder platforms, and ambulances
- A live demonstration of firefighters donning full protective equipment
- A hands-on session with the fire hose for children
- A demonstration of pole-sliding technique unique to Singapore’s SCDF
- A Q&A session with firefighters and paramedics
How to Book an Open House Visit
Bookings must be made at least 3 working days in advance to ensure availability for your preferred Saturday visit. For example, if you wish to book a slot for a Saturday, you can book at any time before the cut-off time on the preceding Wednesday at 11:30am. Submitting the form does not confirm your booking, you can expect a reply within 1 working day.
You can either make the booking online at the SCDF website or call the hotline at 6848 1525.
Important notes for visitors:
- No pets are allowed inside the fire station
- Walk-in visitors without a booking may be turned away if slots are full
- Groups of 10 or more are required to make a pre-booking.
- Tours may be terminated if the station receives an emergency call — this is normal and should be expected
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing as parts of the visit involve outdoor areas
- Bring water, especially for visits with young children
Virtual Fire Station Group Visits
For schools and groups that are unable to visit in person, SCDF also offers virtual fire station group visits. The virtual Fire Station group visit is conducted from 10:00am to 10:30am and can be hosted by one of the participating fire stations. Each Zoom session can accommodate a minimum of 50 participants and a maximum of 300. This is particularly useful for large school cohorts or groups with mobility constraints.
Educational Visits for Schools and Preschools
All students are welcome to visit the 18 fire stations and the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery. The visits to fire stations are designed to promote students’ awareness of the many different roles of SCDF. Students will understand that a sophisticated Civil Defence system, manned by personnel on round-the-clock standby, has been set up to cater for any emergency.
In this MOE-spearheaded programme, educational visits for primary, secondary, and JC students are organised to visit national institutions and public installations. Learning Journeys aim to instill pride in Singapore’s achievements, help students understand the country’s limitations, build confidence in building a better future, and nurture a sense of belonging.
For preschool children, Tampines Fire Station is one of the most sought-after educational visit destinations in the east. The fire hose activity, the fire truck climbing experience, and the opportunity to meet real firefighters make it an unforgettable and age-appropriate learning experience. Teachers and centre directors should book well in advance through the SCDF website, as Saturday slots at Tampines, being one of the largest stations, fill up quickly.
Community Engagement at Tampines Fire Station
Beyond Saturday open houses, Tampines Fire Station actively engages the surrounding community through SCDF’s broader outreach programmes. These include fire safety talks for resident committees, school fire safety education programmes, and the SCDF Community First Responder initiative. Community members can also learn CPR, use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and basic first aid through SCDF’s public education events.
How to Get to Tampines Fire Station
By MRT
Tampines Fire Station is located in the industrial estate and is not within easy walking distance of Tampines MRT station. The station is approximately 2.2 kilometres from Tampines MRT (EW2 / DT32), which translates to about a 29-minute walk — not recommended for most visitors, especially families with young children. Taking a bus from Tampines MRT or Tampines interchange is strongly advisable.
MRT Station | Line | Distance / Notes |
Tampines MRT | East-West Line (EW2) / Downtown Line (DT32) | Approx 2.2 km, take a bus from here |
Tampines East MRT | Downtown Line (DT33) | Slightly closer to the industrial estate side |
Tampines West MRT | Downtown Line (DT31) | Further not recommended |
By Bus
The nearest bus stop to Tampines Fire Station is Tampines Ave 10 Bef Tampines Fire Stn (75411), which is approximately 184 metres away about a 3-minute walk. Bus services that stop near the fire station include services 118, 27, 298, 34, 34A, 58, and 58A.
Bus Stop | Code | Distance | Bus Services |
Tampines Ave 10 — Bef Tampines Fire Stn | 75411 | 184 m (3 min walk) | 118, 27, 298, 34, 34A, 58, 58A |
Tampines Ave 10 — Aft Tampines Ave 5 | 75419 | 261 m (4 min walk) | 27, 34, 34A, 58 |
Tampines Ave 10 — Aft Tampines Ave 5 | 75371 | 274 m (4 min walk) | 118, 27, 34, 34A, 58 |
Tampines Ave 5 — UWCSEA | 75171 | 341 m (5 min walk) | 118, 34A |
For visitors coming from Tampines MRT or Tampines Interchange, bus services 27, 34, and 58 are among the most convenient options connecting the MRT and interchange to the stops along Tampines Avenue 10 near the fire station.
By Car
Tampines Fire Station is straightforward to reach by car from major expressways serving the eastern part of Singapore.
- Via TPE (Tampines Expressway): Exit toward Tampines Avenue 10 and follow the road north. The fire station is clearly visible on the left along Tampines Industrial Avenue 3.
- Via PIE (Pan Island Expressway): Exit at Tampines Avenue 10 and head east toward the industrial estate.
- From Changi Airport: The fire station is approximately 7 to 10 minutes by car via the TPE or Tampines Avenue 10.
Visitor parking near the fire station is limited as this is an industrial area. Visitors are advised to arrive by public transport where possible, particularly on Saturday mornings when the open house is in progress. If driving, arrive early and park along the service roads in the industrial estate, observing all posted parking restrictions.
Accessibility for Families and Groups
For families with prams or strollers, the bus route via Tampines Avenue 10 is the most accessible approach as buses in Singapore are equipped with low-floor accessibility features. The fire station itself has a ground-level entrance suitable for prams and wheelchairs. If your group has specific accessibility requirements, contact SCDF’s hotline at 6848 1525 in advance to discuss arrangements.
Emergency Services and SCDF Operations
Fire and Rescue Response Capabilities
Tampines Fire Station, as the 2nd Division HQ, operates a comprehensive fleet of emergency vehicles and maintains a large complement of trained firefighters, paramedics, and specialist rescue personnel on duty at all times. The Pump Ladder (PL) is the workhorse fire engine of the SCDF, carrying 2,400 litres of water and 1,200 litres of foam, along with other rescue and firefighting equipment. The PL is also equipped to set up hasty decontamination facilities for a chemical incident, with decontamination lanes that can be set up within four minutes.
The Combined Platform-Ladder (CPL) is a hydraulic ladder-platform truck used for external firefighting and rescue operations involving high-rise buildings. The largest variant, the CPL60, can extend its platform ladder to a maximum height of 60 metres, the equivalent of a 20-storey building with a water monitor capable of discharging water at 3,800 litres per minute.
Hazmat and Specialised Response
Each SCDF division maintains hazardous materials (Hazmat) response capabilities for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear incidents. Given Tampines Fire Station’s status as the 2nd Division HQ, it maintains specialist Hazmat units capable of responding to industrial incidents within the Tampines and Changi industrial estates, as well as any incidents at or near Changi Airport.
The 2nd Division's Coverage Area
The 2nd Division, headquartered at Tampines Fire Station, oversees emergency response across the entire eastern corridor of Singapore. This includes the residential towns of Tampines, Pasir Ris, Bedok, and Simei; the commercial and industrial areas of Changi Business Park and the Tampines Industrial Estate; and critically, Changi Airport one of Singapore’s most critical pieces of national infrastructure.
Emergency Preparedness What Tampines Residents Should Know
If you witness a fire, a road traffic accident, a building collapse, or any situation requiring SCDF’s response in Tampines, call 995 immediately. Provide your name, the exact address or location of the incident, the nature of the emergency, and stay on the line for further instructions from the SCDF operator. Do not assume someone else has already called.
Home Fire Safety Tips from SCDF
Every household in Tampines can take simple steps to reduce the risk of a fire at home:
- Test your smoke detector monthly and replace batteries at least once a year
- Never leave cooking unattended on the stove
- Avoid overloading electrical sockets and power strips
- Do not block corridors, staircases, or fire exits with furniture, bicycles, or other items
- Keep a fire extinguisher or fire blanket in the kitchen
- Ensure all household members including children and elderly relatives know the evacuation plan for your home
The my Responder app is SCDF’s community-based mobile application that allows registered users to respond as Community First Responders (CFRs) to cardiac arrest cases in the vicinity. When someone nearby suffers a cardiac arrest and the ambulance has been activated, the app alerts nearby registered CFRs who can reach the victim and begin CPR before the ambulance arrives. The app also provides the locations of the nearest AED devices, which can dramatically improve survival rates in a cardiac emergency. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play and register as a Community First Responder to potentially save a life in your neighbourhood.
CPR and First Aid Training
SCDF regularly conducts community-level CPR and first aid training sessions. Tampines residents can register for these sessions through the SCDF website or People’s Association community clubs. The skills learned particularly CPR and AED operation can mean the difference between life and death in the critical minutes before an ambulance arrives.
Nearby Amenities and Facilities
One of the most practically relevant amenities near Tampines Fire Station is the NTUC FairPrice Xtra Tampines, also known as emart, located nearby along Tampines Avenue 10. This large-format hypermarket carries a wide range of groceries, household goods, electronics, and lifestyle products, making it a convenient pre- or post-visit stop for families heading to the Saturday open house.
Tampines Quarry Park is a scenic recreational green space located within the broader Tampines industrial and nature area. The park surrounds a former quarry that has since been filled with water, creating a peaceful lake surrounded by walking trails and natural vegetation. It is a popular destination for nature walks, birdwatching, and quiet recreation for residents in the area.
The United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA) East Campus is located along Tampines Avenue 5, not far from the fire station. Its presence in the area means there is regular family and student traffic along the bus routes near the fire station, which is a useful context for weekend visitors to bear in mind.
The broader Tampines Industrial Estate surrounds the fire station and houses a wide variety of light industrial and logistics businesses. While not a visitor destination per se, the estate explains the strategic positioning of the 2nd Division HQ in this area; the fire station is well-placed to respond quickly to industrial incidents as well as the residential emergencies across the adjoining Tampines town.
For families visiting the open house on a Saturday morning and looking for breakfast or a post-visit meal, the commercial hub of Tampines Central is accessible by bus from the stops along Tampines Avenue 10. Tampines Mall, Century Square, Tampines One, and Our Tampines Hub’s hawker centre are all within a few bus stops’ distance, offering a wide range of dining options to round off a memorable Saturday morning visit.
FAQs
Where is Tampines Fire Station located?
Tampines Fire Station is located at 1 Tampines Industrial Ave 3, Singapore 528777. It is situated within the Tampines Industrial Estate along Tampines Avenue 10, and serves as the headquarters of SCDF's 2nd Division.
What is the postal code of Tampines Fire Station?
The postal code of Tampines Fire Station is 528777.
Does Tampines Fire Station hold open house events?
Yes. Tampines Fire Station participates in SCDF's weekly Saturday Fire Station Open House, which runs every Saturday morning from 9:00am to 10:50am across two time slots. The tours are free and open to all members of the public. Online booking is strongly encouraged.
How do I get to Tampines Fire Station by bus?
The nearest bus stop is Tampines Ave 10 Bef Tampines Fire Stn (75411), approximately 184 metres from the station. Bus services 27, 34, 34A, 58, 118, and 298 stop nearby. From Tampines MRT, take any of these services along Tampines Avenue 10 toward the industrial estate.
Is there parking near Tampines Fire Station?
Tampines Fire Station does not have a dedicated public car park for visitors. Street parking is available in the surrounding industrial estate roads. Visitors are strongly encouraged to arrive by bus, particularly for Saturday open house visits, as parking availability is limited.
Final Thoughts
Tampines Fire Station is far more than a building with fire trucks and emergency lights. As the headquarters of SCDF’s 2nd Division responsible for protecting the lives and property of hundreds of thousands of people across eastern Singapore it represents the frontline of Singapore’s world-class emergency response capability, available every hour of every day without exception.
For families, the Saturday morning Open House is one of the most memorable and genuinely educational free experiences in Singapore. For residents, knowing the address, the emergency numbers, and the community programmes available through SCDF is part of being a prepared and responsible member of the Tampines community. And for schools and preschools, a visit to Tampines Fire Station is the kind of learning journey that children talk about for months afterwards.
Tampines Fire Station is located at 1 Tampines Industrial Ave 3, Singapore 528777. To book an open house visit, go to www.scdf.gov.sg or call 6848 1525. In any emergency, call 995.
