Month: January 2023

Maximise your membership with HomeTeamNS Rewards+

Post author By Dennis
Post date January 26, 2023
No Comments on Maximise your membership with HomeTeamNS Rewards+

Here’s your handy guide to the newly-launched lifestyle rewards programme that offers greater perks to HomeTeamNS members.

TEXT: NUR ADLINA BINTE ADAM

PHOTOS: HOMETEAMNS

If you frequent our HomeTeamNS clubhouses, we have great news for you. We’ve just launched HomeTeamNS Rewards+, a loyalty programme that promises more bang for your buck.

There are various ways for you and your family members to earn rewards each time you spend across HomeTeamNS facilities, from booking slots to enjoy HomeTeamNS-operated facilities such as Adventure HQ, to making payments for your Fitness Workz gym membership. The rewards also cover membership registrations and renewals.

Through the HomeTeamNS Rewards+ programme, we aim to recognise the tireless contributions of our Home Team NSmen, giving them more reasons to call our clubhouses home. Here’s how it works and where you can spend your points.

A REWARDING JOURNEY

First order of business – what are the rewards called? They are known as +HPoints, and can be earned through eligible bookings, purchases, and HomeTeamNS membership registrations and renewals.

With every S$1 spent on eligible purchases, you will automatically receive 1 +HPoint in your account. However, a minimum expenditure of S$10 is required at checkout for +HPoints to be awarded. After accumulating 100 +HPoints, you are entitled to a S$1 redemption. This can be used to offset purchases made through the HomeTeamNS Mobile App. It doesn’t, however, apply to slot machine expenditure; purchase of discounted vouchers; payment of car park fees and fines; payment to external partners and fees for lost and damaged cards.

Fun Fact: Did you know that the term +HPoints was inspired by the term “HP (Health Points)” used in video games?

HOW TO EARN +HPOINTS

Earning +HPoints is easy. Simply update your HomeTeamNS Mobile App to gain access to the HomeTeamNS Rewards+ Programme. You can earn +HPoints when you sign up for (or renew) HomeTeamNS memberships, book an array of HomeTeamNS facilities and more. Imagine earning over 800 +HPoints just from East Villa bookings!

There will be more places to earn +HPoints in time to come. Check out our website or Facebook page for the latest updates.

Pro-tip: Be sure to redeem your +HPoints before they expire. The rewards are valid for one calendar year from the day they were credited into your account. For example, if you earned 100 +HPoints on 31 January 2023, these +HPoints will expire on 31 January 2024.

HOMETEAMNS MOBILE APP, AT YOUR SERVICE

With the HomeTeamNS Mobile App, it’s easy to track your transaction history and points earned. The mobile app’s transaction page displays your expiring points, so all your hard-earned rewards won’t go to waste.

When it’s time to redeem your +HPoints, you can easily browse through the app to plan your next adventure at HomeTeamNS facilities.

If you’re new to the HomeTeamNS Mobile App, here’s why it’s good for you. The refreshed app, formerly known as GetKaki, is a one-stop shop for your all membership needs. Just a few taps will allow you to easily access the HomeTeamNS Members Lounge, book facilities and get first dibs on promotions.

Like our stories? Subscribe to our Frontline Digital newsletters now! Simply download the HomeTeamNS Mobile App and update your communication preference to ‘Receive Digital Frontline Magazine’, through the app settings.

Close Up Featured

Protecting communities round the clock

Post author By Dennis
Post date January 17, 2023
No Comments on Protecting communities round the clock

DAC (NS) Ng Sy Jang believes that everyone should take cybersecurity seriously. Photos: DAC (NS) Ng Sy Jang

Cybersecurity matters: How DAC (NS) Ng Sy Jang keeps communities safe, through his National Service role in the Singapore Police Force and his full-time job.

TEXT: KEENAN PEREIRA

PHOTOS: DAC (NS) NG SY JANG

Security and safety are big themes in DAC (NS) Ng Sy Jang’s life. By day, he serves as an IT Security Researcher at DSO National Laboratories (DSO), Singapore’s largest defence research and development organisation. But the 49-year-old’s efforts to keep Singapore safe don’t end there: He also does this as the NS Commander for the Singapore Police Force (SPF)’s Crime Investigation Department (CID).

DAC (NS) Ng’s journey with SPF began in the late 1990s, when he signed on following his National Service (NS). It was an exciting time as technology was quickly changing the way they operated. He explains how the widespread presence of closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) has been a gamechanger: “Back then, if we wanted to catch a loan shark runner, we would have to wait at the victim’s home to catch them in the act. But we don’t need to do that anymore, since we can rely on CCTV footage to help us.”

A SECURITY BOOST THROUGH TECH

Technology has also made it easier for the public to reach the police. For instance, the SMS 71999 Service allows members of the public who require emergency assistance to text the police when it is not safe to call ‘999’ or when they are unable to speak. Police reports can also be easily filed online.

But with the advancement of technology comes the risk of cybercrime. The SPF reported 22,219 such cases in 2021, a 38 per cent increase from 16,117 cases in 2020. These cases include online scams and cyber extortion, which can affect both civilians and the SPF.

“Cybersecurity is a matter of concern for everyone, both inside and outside of the Force. It’s important that we follow good tech practices, such as changing our passwords regularly, so that we do not fall prey to such crimes,” advises DAC (NS) Ng, whose full-time role in IT security gives him an edge in understanding tech issues. “At work, we have the tools and know-how to find out what different kinds of malware do and how best to detect and thwart them.”

AN UNENVIABLE BUT NECESSARY TASK

In his present role as NS Commander of the CID, he leads over 160 NSmen, more than half of whom are in its disaster victim identification group. “In the event of a mass casualty event, these men will assist the regulars in identifying victims using dental records and fingerprints,” explains DAC (NS) Ng. “The current NSman batch is being trained to learn how to carry out their duties and how to handle and identify bodies and body parts.”

Four members of his team were involved in Exercise Mayday, which concluded in June 2022. This exercise simulated a plane crash, with dismembered “bodies” lying around. It trained DAC (NS) Ng’s men to react to such situations and taught them how to handle body parts with care, so that they could later be used in victim identification.

“During a mass casualty event, families will report missing loved ones to us and provide certain identifying traits — a ring or mole, for example, which will be keyed into a system. This will then be matched against the body parts found to help us speed up the process of identifying victims,” explains DAC (NS) Ng.

He admits that some might find the task challenging but says that the unit’s focus on team spirit and collaboration helps get the job done. “All the unit’s leaders try to build rapport with the team and lead by example so we can ensure mission success. It’s an unenviable but necessary task.”

Like our stories? Subscribe to our Frontline Digital newsletters now! Simply download the HomeTeamNS Mobile App, and update your communication preference to ‘Receive Digital Frontline Magazine’, through the App Settings.

CYBERSECURITY DOS AND DON’TS

DAC (NS) Ng shares tips on maintaining good cybersecurity:

Don’t share your password and ensure it’s long enough and unique.
Don’t click on links from unknown sources.
Don’t download apps from untrusted sources.
Do be more vigilant and aware of tactics used by scammers.

Spotlight Club Buzz

A peek behind the curtain of HomeTeamNS’ newest clubhouse

Post author By Dennis
Post date January 16, 2023
No Comments on A peek behind the curtain of HomeTeamNS’ newest clubhouse

From left: LTC (NS) Nicholas Lee, SGT2 (NS) Shawn Quek, AC Kadir Maideen, SUPT (NS) Jim Tan and DAC (NS) Yeo Kee Seah.

Members of the Clubhouse Development Committee (East) journey back to the development days of HomeTeamNS’ new waterfront haven.

TEXT: MELODY TAN

PHOTOS: HOMETEAMNS

The new HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir is officially open – and one of its most exciting facilities is the East Villa, comprising 10 beautiful waterfront villas.

But did you know that they narrowly escaped being simply called chalets, instead?

It was only after seeing the final design that the Clubhouse Development Committee (East) agreed that they were truly deserving of the title ‘villas’, recalled SUPT (NS) Jim Tan, Co-Chairman of the committee.

Along with Co-Chairman AC Kadir Maideen, Vice-Chairman LTC (NS) Nicholas Lee, and Committee Members DAC (NS) Yeo Kee Seah and SGT2 (NS) Shawn Quek, he sat down recently to take a look back at the fruitful process of creating HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir – and the committee’s hopes for how it will serve HomeTeamNS members in the future.

BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD, FOR PERFECTION

The key challenge of designing the Bedok Reservoir clubhouse was ensuring that it held all the facilities and spaces needed while still blending seamlessly into the surrounding greenery and water of its nature-rich setting. This turned out to be no easy task.

“The initial design from the architects, although meeting most of the operational requirements, did not capture this ‘blend-into-the-environment’ intention,” said SUPT (NS) Tan, who is a qualified and practicing architect specialising in digital delivery solutions for the built environment.

“We did not just want to build a clubhouse, we also really wanted to look after nature,” explained AC Kadir. “We did a biodiversity survey even before we appointed our consultants to have the experts assess the flora and fauna of the site. We did not want the building design to be too cold and blocky, which would stand out like a sore thumb in such a nice reservoir setting.”

After several rounds of design renditions and discussions, a decision was made to embark on a re-development of the design – a bold move that turned out to be the right one.

The re-development phase focused on the clubhouse façade. The final version features vertical fins, inspired by the shape of trees around the reservoir. An effort was also made to maximise the area’s idyllic views by giving clubhouse users more places to relax and enjoy the scenery.

Recalled AC Kadir: “I suggested that in order to not waste the space and potential of the roof, we make it part of the fifth level where the ManCaves are located. We communicated that to the designers, and that’s how we have the nice roof balconies today.”

When it came to the construction phase, another challenge emerged: Underground pipes owned by PUB had to be worked around, to avoid contaminating the reservoir’s water supply.

DAC (NS) Yeo, who has been in the security industry for many years and helped to assess the clubhouse’s surveillance set-up, said: “There were so many unknowns. The underground pipes already posed many challenges, and there were other surprises, such as pipes and cables that could have resurfaced as we dug the ground.”

Thankfully, the project’s consultants, architects, and contractors ensured that these problems were managed, and the completed clubhouse is now a one-of-a-kind attraction for HomeTeamNS members and their guests.

A TECH-SAVVY CLUBHOUSE, SET IN NATURE

The newest clubhouse under the HomeTeamNS Clubhouse Masterplan, HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir, features state-of-the-art attractions.

As an example, AC Kadir cited the Action Motion, a first-in-Singapore digital active experience arena featuring an obstacle course, rock-climbing, and gamified user experience across all its five action zones. Users receive an RFID-enabled bracelet that records the points accumulated when it’s scanned at each obstacle course. They can check their live scores on the facility’s leaderboard and have some friendly competition with other users.

Those looking for less-competitive, family-friendly activities for all ages will be drawn to the clubhouse’s array of fun water-based options.

SGT2 (NS) Quek said that among his favourite features of the Bedok Reservoir clubhouse were the infinity pool and upcoming water activities along the reservoir’s waterfront. “I am also confident that the villas will be a big hit among our HomeTeamNS members,” he added. “They will provide a lot of fun times for many families and friends to enjoy. Situated at Bedok Reservoir, these villas are waterfront properties, and that itself has a certain allure.”

A splashing good time was also on the mind of LTC (NS) Lee, who said that he looked forward to going down Singapore’s longest indoor water slide at Aqua Adventure. “I can’t wait to let my kids have a go!”

DESIGNED WITH HOMETEAMNS MEMBERS IN MIND

In overseeing the development of the Bedok Reservoir clubhouse, the committee made sure to abide by the motto: “For NSmen, by NSmen”. They relied on research and surveys to learn what NSmen wanted: Space and facilities for interaction and gatherings, a family-oriented environment, and to have a clubhouse that they were proud to be associated with.

During the design phase, LTC (NS) Lee recalled mooting the idea of full-length swimming pools, to provide for NSmen who were avid swimmers wanting to do laps. “The end design did cater for some lanes to have the required length, so they could complete laps in a standard-sized pool.”

AC Kadir recalled how it was useful to have NSmen volunteers present at the meeting with the Urban Redevelopment Authority where the committee was justifying the need for a larger plot of land: “Part of the reason for our clubhouse to exist is that NSmen and NSFs can have cohesion at the unit level. To organise that, we cannot have a small space when we bring them in.”

He added that he hoped HomeTeamNS members would make use of the Bedok Reservoir clubhouse alongside their NS colleagues and families:

“We want our members to know that HomeTeamNS is very appreciative of them, and grateful for their contributions to NS, whether it’s NS active or NS reserve. We hope to look after them for many, many years with such clubhouse facilities, not only in Bedok Reservoir but across all the other clubhouses and programmes we organise at HomeTeamNS.”

Like our stories? Subscribe to our Frontline Digital newsletters now! Simply download the HomeTeamNS Mobile App, and update your communication preference to ‘Receive Digital Frontline Magazine’, through the App Settings.

In The Force

SPF’s Vigilante Corps: The end of an era

Post author By Ben
Post date January 12, 2023
No Comments on SPF’s Vigilante Corps: The end of an era

The ceremony was officiated by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Policy) Jerry See (centre) and attended by key PNS officers, as well as VC (NS) officers who are now part of the Special Constabulary.

After 55 years, this scheme will be replaced by one that enables former VC officers to perform a wider policing role.

TEXT & PHOTOS: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE

The ceremony to commemorate the transfer of Vigilante Corps (VC) officers of the Police National Service (PNS) to the Special Constabulary (SC) was held on 22 September 2022. The event marked the cessation of the VC National Service (NS) scheme, which was incorporated into the NS framework 55 years earlier with the passing of the VC Act.

TRANSITIONING TO A WIDER ROLE

The transition from VC (NS) to SC (NS) will allow Full-Time and Operationally Ready PNS VC officers to perform a greater variety of policing duties as full-fledged police officers. This includes critical duties that require police powers. As pointed out by Guest-of-Honour, Acting Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Policy) (DCP) Jerry See, the change “aims to make the National Service experience more enriching and fulfilling”.

DCP See acknowledged the vital role that VC (NS) officers have played in the SPF over the years and thanked all VC (NS) officers past and present, for their dedication and contribution in keeping Singapore safe. DCP See also thanked the families of VC (NS) officers for their support, while wishing the new SC (NS) officers all the best in their duties, as well as a more meaningful and enriching PNS experience.

A LONG, PROUD HISTORY OF SERVICE

The VC traces its roots to the 1940s when volunteer groups were formed to prevent and detect crime. In May 1964, the government set up a network of volunteers to help support the SPF guard key installations and protect crowded public areas during Konfrontasi. In 1967, the VC Act was passed, incorporating VC into the NS scheme. The VC then comprised of national servicemen and volunteers.

The main duties of the VC were to help the police force preserve public peace, the prevention and detection of crime, and the apprehension of offenders. The VC became affiliated with the SPF, with the VC (NS) serving their National Service obligations assisting the SPF. Enlistees under the VC (NS) scheme underwent a 14-week basic Police training programme and were then deployed to an SPF unit. Their uniform – a white shirt and navy-blue pants – signified their affiliation to the SPF. Since May 2019, all SPF enlistees have been conscripted as Special Constables.

Vigilante Corps Heritage

Scan the QR code to watch a video on the history of the VC!

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