If you were to ask Dana what is her ambition, she would tell you she would like to be a police officer when she grows up. Yup, you heard it right – not a doctor, not a dentist, not a teacher but a police officer. So on a laid back Sunday evening, instead of winding down at home, we decided to drive all the way from the west to Singapore Expo just so our daughter can visit the Home Team Festival on its final day.
Welcome to the inaugural Home Team Festival! |
The inaugural festival, with the theme “Our Safe Home, Our Secure Nation”, is a showcase of interactive exhibits that highlight the capabilities of the Home Team such as crime fighting, border security and emergency management.
Engaging the young… |
Spotted: Mata Mata! |
It was a rare chance to allow the public to gain a better understanding of the responsibilities and challenges of the Home Team officers who stand at the frontline of our country’s safety and security. The exhibition was very well-planned with goodie bags given to the kids immediately upon entry and many multi-sensory exhibits such as state-of-the-art crime fighting weapons, policecars, ambulance, firefighting, search and many rescue (land and sea) vessels for us to explore ! Each booth was manned by many Home Team Officers who interacted with the visitors warmly. It was a great eye-opener and we were glad we made it at the eleventh hour (just one hour before the exhibition ends!) Queues for the more popular activities such as the Live Firing, Challenge Rope Course, Rock-wall Climb and Abseiling Fun were closed by the time we reached so we could only explore the Vehicles Gallery.
Inside a fast response patrol car… |
Riding a Police Bike |
Daddy & Dana on the Electronic Stand-up vehicle, much like the Segway… |
A rare look into the Prison Bus! |
The Anti-Riot Bus used by the Gurkhas… |
Inside an Ambulance… |
At the helm of a coast guard patrol vessel… |
Our tough girl – the Policewoman wannabe! |
All sorts of Emergency Response Vehicles – big and small! |
We left the exhibition with a deep sense of respect for all our Home Team officers and a renewed pride in belonging to a country who spares no effort in keeping our lives (and properties) free from threats. This is a fun and educational Home Team festival and we were heartened to see many families with children having a good time there. We hope they will organise the Home Team Festival again next year. We’ll be back – early for sure!
Officer Dana signing off from the Home Team Festival! |
Debs G says
I totally missed this! Will just have to wait for next year, I guess.
mummybean says
Go policewoman Dana! 🙂 Much cooler than Noey, who wants to be a postman…