For the first time in the history of Singapore's National Day Parade (NDP), the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will march alongside the armed forces and police as one of six guard of honour contingents.

The guard of honour contingent units will also include the Republic of Singapore Navy, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), and the Digital and Intelligence Service.

Deputy Commissioner (Operations & Resilience) Ling Young Ern shared that the inclusion of SCDF in this year's guard of honour contingent is a recognition of their crucial role in protecting the lives of Singaporeans.

After commemorating 40 years of Total Defence last year, the Ministry of Defence and SCDF considered public suggestions to include the SCDF in the parade, especially since this year's event at the Padang marks Singapore's 60th year of independence.

SCDF members participating in the guard of honour contingent have been training to handle arms for the feu-de-joi or rifle salute, demonstrating their dedication and preparation for the event.

In another first, the Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) will field a full contingent at the parade, marking the organization's 10th anniversary and showcasing its growth over the past decade.

Volunteer Pang Xuehui Arlene, a contingent commander, emphasized the significance of this milestone, highlighting the SAFVC's progress and its deserving place in the parade.