On Sunday September 11, 2011, Central Fire Station (also known as Station 11) played host to the United States Ambassador to Singapore Mr David Adelman and his guests. It was the tenth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, and visiting a fire station was a fitting tribute to the 343 firefighters and paramedics from the Fire Department City of New York (FDNY) who lost their lives when the Twin Towers collapsed. The visit also underpinned the crucial emergency role carried out by SCDF firefighters.
Mr David Adelman, accompanied by children from the charity organisation Beyond Social Services, was warmly greeted by Commander 1st CD Division LTC Ling Kok Yong and Commander Central Fire Station MAJ Wesley Ho. The firefighters then displayed their proficiency with the sliding poles through “live” demonstrations, showing both the unique “hands-free Singapore style” and the traditional “bear hug” methods. The guests were treated to a literally uplifting experience on the Combined Platform Ladder which can be raised up to a height of 30 m. The children’s interactive experience extended to handling two charged water jets and a water mist gun.
Commander 1st CD Division LTC Ling Kok Yong (L) and Commander Central Fire Station MAJ Wesley Ho (R) looking on as the Ambassador Adelman signs the guestbook.
The main highlight was an enacted fire incident. When the fire coding sounded, firefighters quickly descended via the sliding pole to swiftly set up two jets to fight the fire, while simultaneously evacuating the casualties to safety. The visit ended with the guests invited to the adjacent Civil Defence Heritage Gallery for an insight into the history and evolution of firefighting in Singapore.
Combine Platform Ladder Demostration
Filed under: Emergency Preparedness, Events, In the Spotlight, Uncategorized Tagged: | Central Fire Station, fire fighters, heritage gallery, singapore, Singapore Civil Defence, sliding pole, station visit
