Month: September 2017

TEXT: JAMES LEONG
PHOTOS: DARREN CHANG

Zhang Yousheng’s story

I was into my first month serving as a section commander at Jurong Fire Station when I was called to respond to a fire at Tuas. I saw huge pillars of smoke billowing in the distance. The fire was rapidly spreading and everything was unfolding so quickly. We needed to expeditiously formulate strategies to put out the fire and find new water sources to prevent further escalation, but the large scale of the fire only complicated things. I believe it is only when theoretical knowledge and operational experience come together that one can truly become fully prepared. But more than anything, it is the ability to stay calm that matters.

I am thankful to have my officers and seniors to guide me. I have a lot of admiration and respect for the SCDF because what we do as frontliners is crucial to protecting Singapore.

It’s tough and requires both mental and physical resilience, but it brings fulfilment when you know you’ve done your part to help others.

Mohammad Aidil’s story

I was a lance corporal serving my first year of National Service as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) when I received an early call from an expectant mother. Attending to her in the ambulance was surreal because her husband was closely watching her suffer labour pains, but also looking completely calm.When we finally arrived at the hospital, she gave birth on the stretcher before we could even transfer her to a proper bed. The entire experience was made more intense because she only spoke Vietnamese.

I learned from this experience that while my peers in the firefighting vocation help to save lives, assisting to bring a new life into the world is equally important too.

As an EMT, I help the paramedic assess and manage the patient while providing pre-hospital care en route to the hospital.

Other articles that you might like:

5 nostalgic restaurants to check out

Ordinary people with an extraordinary mission

TEXT: SOL E SOLOMON
PHOTOGRAPHY: FRENCHESCAR LIM
DIGITAL IMAGING: OKTO PIXEL

WALKIE-TALKIE

In the 1970s, traffic police officers used portable radio sets, which allowed staff in the traffic ops room to reach ground officers via a two-way network. This feature could be activated one-to-one or broadcast as a message to many on a talk group, but the network was not encrypted and, thus, not secure. It has since been replaced by a digital-based encrypted system, which provides a secure network for all communications.

WOODEN BATON

The weapon’s design was based on the principle of using “minimum force”, but it was also a symbol of peacekeeping and honour. The baton was used in defence to subdue a target without causing undue hurt, and featured in ceremonial salutes and drills in the 1950s. In 2001, the wooden baton was replaced by a retractable T-baton with an extendable side handle that made it less bulky and more versatile.

POLICE PEAKED CAP

Policemen wore this since 1969 but it felt bulky and stiff. In 1999, enhancements were introduced to make it waterproof and softer to the touch. A reflective side strip was also added to increase a policeman’s visibility at night. The peaked cap remains part of the police uniform and continues to be worn mainly during formal occasions.

WHISTLE WITH CHAIN

Since the early days of policing, the tubular-shaped metal whistle has been used by officers to draw attention to a crime or call for back-up. Better communication technologies have since made whistles lessuseful and they were phased out in 2002.

Other articles that you might like:

Saving lives as a volunteer with SCDF 

The Sam Willows guitarist on music and NS