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A joint counter-terrorism and emergency preparedness exercise codenamed “Exercise Heartbeat” was held at CQ @ Clarke Quay on 3 November 2025. The exercise was organised by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), and involved more than 80 participants, including units such as SPF’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) as well as ground response officers, who responded to a simulated terror attack in the heart of the city. Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs, was the Guest-of-Honour.

"Exercise Heartbeat" highlights the close collaboration between Home Team agencies and community partners in responding to terrorist attacks, with a focus on SGSecure. This is the first time the exercise is being held at CQ @ Clarke Quay since 2017, and the area has since transformed from a predominantly nightlife hub into a day-and-night destination following a nearly two-year rejuvenation from August 2022 to April 2024.

The exercise involved a simulated terror attack at CQ @ Clarke Quay comprising armed terrorists and a hostile vehicle attack, and demonstrated the capabilities of, and coordination between Home Team agencies and our stakeholders in responding to a terror attack. The exercise saw the SPF, SCDF and community stakeholders working closely together to respond to the attacks. The stakeholders – trained by the SPF and SCDF in emergency skills – showcased their application of the key SGSecure advisories "Run, Hide, Tell" and "Press, Tie, Tell" (Improvised First Aid) prior to the arrival of SPF and SCDF. These swift actions demonstrated how trained community members can save lives and minimise casualties during crises. This exercise also reinforces the importance for community partners to periodically review their security measures, familiarise themselves with and validate their contingency plans, to enhance their readiness to respond to an emergency.

SMS Sim Ann, who observed the exercise said, “This year’s Exercise Heartbeat is held at CQ @ Clarke Quay and I am very glad to see the very tight coordination between the Home Team, our community partners and our partners from CQ @ Clarke Quay. It is very important for the various stakeholders to come together to exercise scenarios against potential threats, because this can strengthen our community bonds, allow us to check the relevance of our plans, and it really helps to enhance effectiveness of our joint response during crisis. And I want to encourage community partners, including commercial partners, to join the SPF's Safety and Security Watch Group. I think this is going to help all of us increase readiness for potential threats.”

Every member of the community – including businesses – has a role to play in keeping Singapore safe against terrorism by remaining vigilant. Besides the SPF’s Safety and Security Watch Group, businesses may also participate in the Ministry of Manpower (MOM)’s SGSecure@Workplaces programme which aims to strengthen businesses’ vigilance and resilience against terror attacks and crises, ensuring workplace harmony and continuity. Built on the "3 Ps" framework—Protect your Workplace, Prepare your Workforce, and Partner your Community—the programme engages over 70,000 SGSecure Representatives and over 80 Workplace Community Leaders to champion SGSecure initiatives within their organisations and industries. Workplaces can appoint SGSecure Representatives via the MOM website to strengthen their readiness.

Anyone with information on suspicious persons or activities can contact the Internal Security Department at 1800-2626-473 or the Police at 999, SMS to 70999, or submit the information online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness or report it via the SGSecure mobile application. Prompt and decisive action during a terror attack is imperative as its repercussion extends beyond the primary attack and may significantly undermine our social cohesion. It is thus essential to cultivate community resilience during peacetime. Timely intervention by the community can mitigate devastating outcomes, preserve lives, and maintain the security of our homeland. For more information on how you can contribute to our fight against terrorism, please visit the @SGSecureOfficial Instagram, Tik Tok or SGSecure website (www.sgsecure.gov.sg).

Group Photo of Exercise Heartbeat participants with Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of Home Affairs





Photos of simulation of terror attack



SSWG members performing fire mitigation



  SPF Emergency Response Team officers neutralising the attack


 
Community partners rendering aid to the casualties 

 

SCDF performing triage on the casualties