Dear Training Centres,

Updates for all Accredited Training Centres (TCs) – (Click here for PDF version of this memo)

Tightening of Safety Measures (Update)

1. With the implementation of additional tightened safety measures announced by the Multi-Ministry Taskforce on 14^th May 2021, we have consulted with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and would like to inform all Training Centres (TCs) of the following:
   1. There will no changes to existing safety measures already implemented by Training Centres (TCs) (refer to 1^st September 2020 Update Memo on SRFAC website – https://srfac.sg/2020/09/01/srfac-updates-for-training-centres-010920/).
   2. TCs can continue with the conduct of planned courses until informed otherwise. However, theory lessons should be conducted online whenever possible, while the hands-on practice, practical and theory assessments must be conducted in the presence of the TC’s instructors (in line with SRFAC’s basic stance regarding elearning).
   3. If the learners’ employers have re-implemented split-team arrangements, do ensure that the learners from different teams should not be enrolled in the same course at the same time.
   4. Movement of healthcare staff between different healthcare campuses is not permitted until further notice.
   5. The implementation of Trace Together (TT) – only SafeEntry (SE) will be implemented on 17 May 2021. Training Centres should proactively remind staff and learners on the upcoming implementation of TT-only SE, to allow sufficient time for TT token collection and familiarization of the TT app (if they have not done so).
   6. All TCs should ensure that their health and travel declaration forms include the latest infection clusters in the forms.
   7. Please ensure temperature taking is done at least twice daily and staff or learners who are unwell or presenting Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) symptoms must seek immediate medical attention.
   8. On-site physical class size of up to 16 learners will apply for all TCs (TCs within Institutes of Higher Learning, Healthcare Institutions and SAF/SCDF will remain capped at 40 learners).
   9. Small groups for hands-on practical and assessment sessions shall remain at 1 instructor and 1 manikin with up to 4 learners. A ratio of 1 instructor and 1 manikin with 2 learners will be preferred, if the TC can arrange the necessary logistics and manpower. The instructor and learners assigned to the practical small group should remain fixed. Learners should be permanently assigned a fixed practical partner within the small practical group for the entire duration of the course.
   10. Chief Instructors and floor instructors must ensure that learners (including instructors) wash/disinfect their hands before and after every hands-on session, as well as before and after every tea/lunch break. Washing points and/or hand sanitisers must be made readily available for everyone’s access. Manikins and non-disposable training aids (AEDs, MDIs or auto injectors used for training) must be wiped down with disinfectant wipes before and after each learner’s use as well as at the end of each course. Other expendable items such as bandages should not be re-used for another course. Steps for disinfection before and after practical hands-on as follows:
       1. Instructor disinfects/washes hands and then proceed to disinfect manikin or training aid.
       2. Learners will disinfect/wash hands before touching the mainkin/training aid for the practical hands-on.

• After their practical hands-on session is over, learners will disinfect/wash hands.

1. Instructor will disinfect manikin/training aid and then disinfects/washes hands.

1. The safe distance will be 1 meter between individuals and 2 meters between small practical groups.
2. There should be no intermingling during tea/lunch breaks and masks must be worn properly at all times except when eating or drinking.

2. Child First Aid (CFA) TCs are reminded of the heightened safety measures implemented by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) regarding the conduct of CFA courses for ECDA-regulated learners with effect from 16^th May 2021 till 13^th June 2021. For more details, refer to the update memo sent on 15^th May 2021 – https://srfac.sg/2021/05/15/srfac-updates-for-child-first-aid-cfa-training-centres-150521/

3. SRFAC may conduct random observations at TCs to ensure compliance of the heightened safety measures. All TCs will need to submit their planned/confirmed classes to jun.hao@upec.sg and daniel.wong.m.t@upec.sg.

4. For the latest updates on the situation, please visit https://www.moh.gov.sg/ for more information. We seek your cooperation to ensure that all safety measures are strictly adhered to. Take care and stay safe.

This update is to inform all TCs regarding the lastest COVID-19 measures with the re-implementation of Phase 2.

To see full document, please click on the following link:

Updates for Training Centres (100521)

Do ensure that the contact details and email addresses listed on SRFAC web directory are updated such that future updates can reach your Training Centres in a timely manner.

Dear all,

This year, due to COVID-19, Singapore Heart Foundation will be running their signature National Heart Week/World Heart Day event virtually on 3 and 4 October 2020 to continue empowering the public with the necessary heart-health information as the battle against cardiovascular disease does not stop.

So register your interest now on www.myheart.org.sg/nhw-whd-2020 to receive updates on the event.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heartfoundation/posts/10157834589457799
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CErKiFhHHDr/

Changes to Class Size Limit

• TCs should note the changes to the class[1] size/training space limit as outlined in the following:
• For Life Support courses (BCLS+AED, CPR+AED, ACLS, LSCN, etc) and First Aid courses (SFA, CFA), class size will be capped at 16 learners with at least 1m spacing between individuals. For practical training involving CPR and AEDs, up to 4 learners may be placed together in a group, with no intermingling between groups and at least 2m spacing between groups (demarcated by taping on the floor or other forms of physical partition).
• For hands on practice to be done in pairs (or groups of 3), there should be no swapping of partners.
• If more than one class is conducted in the same training space without physical partitions (sports hall, event space, etc), there should be:
  • Only be a maximum of 50 persons (including instructors, staff and learners) using the same training space while adhering to safe distancing measures (i.e. maintain 1m spacing between individuals and at least 2m spacing between groups, and a minimum of 3m spacing between each class – demarcated by taping on the floor or other forms of physical partition)
  • no intermingling between learners from different class or groups
  • staggered reporting and break times between classes and/or amongst groups
  • clearly established routes in and out of the designated class area to resting/eating spaces or toilets
• Class size for TCs within Institutes of Higher Learning, Healthcare Institutions and SAF/SCDF will remain capped at 40 learners (catering internally for healthcare students/workers or SAF/SCDF paramedics and EMTs).
• Practical training ratio for CPR and AED related training for all courses will remain at 1 instructor to at least 1 manikin and up to 4 learners within the group.
• Although there will be no restrictions on learners from different organisations/branches, learners from the same organisation will need to observe split team arrangements as per their own workplaces.
• Training centres are to abide by sector/organisation specific guidelines where applicable (e.g. ECDA’s guidance on class size limit for preschool/childcare staff training, see below)
• As much as possible, E-learning (theory lessons only) should remain the recommended mode of learning to reduce exposure at the physical training venue. However, the practical hands-on components, theory and practical test must be completed face-to-face in the presence of the instructor due to logistics and security considerations.

[1] A class is defined as a group of learners assigned to a room/hall or a clearly demarcated/partitioned space. A class can be further separated into smaller groups for practical training involving CPR and AED.

Resumption of SRFAC accreditation audits

• SRFAC is resuming accreditation audits for TCs. TCs’ accreditation status which have expired since 27^th March 2020 will need to complete their renewal accreditation by 30^th September 2020. We urge the affected TCs to submit the application for the renewal early. Upon successful audit outcome, the new accreditation status will be backdated to the past expiry date. Do note that the payment mode will be via bank transfer and we are no longer accepting cheques – https://srfac.sg/public-information/

Additional information for TCs

• TCs intending to resume training but have yet to submit their risk mitigation plans are reminded to submit the plans to SRFAC for vetting and approval prior to resuming training, as per the process summarised in Annex B (refer to full document). For avoidance of doubt, TCs which had submitted their risk mitigation plans to SRFAC and had such plans approved, need not re-submit for approval. Non-compliance of the safety measures and training guidance may result in termination of the TC’s accreditation.
• From 1^st August 2020, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) will allow pre-school/childcare staff to resume face-to-face sessions involving hands-on practice, theory and practical assessments for Child First Aid course but theory lessons should be completed online. Class size will be capped at 5 learners until further notice and will only apply to CFA learners from sectors regulated by ECDA but should not affect other CFA learners from other sectors. Please refer to ECDA’s advisory attached below. Any subsequent updates on the increase of class size for CFA learners from sectors regulated by ECDA will be emailed to CFA TCs separately.

For more details, please access:

Updates for Training Centres (040820)

Advisory to Child First Aid Training Providers – 30 Jul 2020

1. The Multi-Ministry Taskforce announced on 19 May 2020 that Singapore will exit the Circuit Breaker when it ends on 1 June 2020, and there will be a controlled approach to resume activities safely over three phrases. In line with this, the Singapore Resuscitation and First Aid Council (SRFAC), in consultation with Ministry of Health (MOH), will allow the phased resumption of first aid training and life support courses, as summarised in Table 1 below.

Table 1. Phased resumption of Life Support and First Aid training in post Circuit Breaker period

2. Training centres should take note to abide by the nation-wide general guidelines for workplaces issued on 9 May 2020 by Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and to note the advisory issued on 19 May 2020 by Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) for safe resumption of businesses. Please refer to Annex A (see attached document for more details) for the guidelines and advisory on safety measures for workplaces and businesses.

3. In order to ensure we control the spread of COVID-19, it is also imperative training centres put in place the precautionary measures to ensure training proceed safely. Training Centres (TCs) MUST comply with the measures described in Sections A and B (see attached document for more details) and may be subject to spot checks. Training Centre will need to provide a risk mitigation plan, taking into consideration the measures, and submit them to SRFAC for vetting and approval prior to resuming training (please refer to Section C on the processes of submission). Non-compliance of the safety measures and training guidance may result in termination of the TC’s accreditation.

Full document link (including embedded documents and weblinks) – Updates for Training Centres (280520)