In town for competition, elite HK rescue squad makes real life rescue
Its elite rescue squad, in Singapore for a firefighters' competition, makes a real life rescue
Hong Kong's elite rescue squad, in Singapore to compete with teams from 15 other countries, has won an award even before the competition proper begins.
The squad won the Singapore Civil Defence Force's (SCDF) Public Spiritedness award for tending to an injured man here.
On Tuesday evening, Senior Station Officer (SSO) Li Wai Ming, firemen Lee Ka Fai and Lee Siu Kei, and principal ambulance man Ng Yu Ming were on their way back to the Civil Defence Academy, where they are staying during the Singapore Global Firefighters and Paramedics Challenge (SGFPC), when they noticed a man had fallen and hurt himself at Bayfront Avenue.
"There were many people crowding around an area. So we went towards the crowd because we knew that something was not right," said SSO Li.
Along with Mr Clement Low, a Community First Responder, who was alerted to the situation, they helped to dress a wound on the man's head before the arrival of SCDF's emergency personnel.
The man was taken conscious to the Singapore General Hospital.
THREE CATEGORIES
The SGFPC, being held in conjunction with the Home Team Festival, will see rescuers competing in a series of challenges tomorrow.
There are three categories - International, Local and the Public Challenge. In the International Challenge, participants will compete for the fastest time in a test of their endurance and fire-fighting abilities. The Local Challenge involves four divisions from SCDF taking part in various scenarios related to rescue, fire-fighting and medical emergencies.
The Public Challenge engages the public in community games, booths and talks to teach relevant fire-fighting and rescue skills.
The Braveheart Challenge, which is part of the International Challenge, is centred around an eight-metre high scaffolding, with each task designed specifically to push the physical and mental capabilities of participants to the maximum.
Last year's runner-up, Australian firefighter Josh Caddy, is back - more determined than ever.
"In Australia, we do not have many high-rise buildings so I was not prepared for it last year. But this year, I am ready to give it my all," the 28-year-old said.
Mr Sean Morris, 34, a paramedic from Australia, admitted that it was not an easy task to get through the preliminary round of the Braveheart Challenge on Wednesday.
"All I wanted to do was to overcome the physical exhaustion and see it till the end," he said, trying to catch his breath.
Even defending champion, Staff Sergeant (SSG) Azmir Ali, was out of breath and drenched in sweat at the end of the preliminary round.
This is the third year the Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team specialist will be representing Singapore in the Braveheart Challenge.
The 29-year-old clocked the fastest time of 5min 32sec with fellow officer, Sergeant Muhammad Khalid, 31, finishing just 24sec later.
"This event has allowed me to get to know more people to share stories and experiences with. Even though we don't speak the same language, we understand each other because all of us share the same goal, and that is to save lives," said SSG Azmir.
This event has allowed me to get to know more people to share stories and experiences with.
- SSG Azmir Ali, who's representing Singapore in the Braveheart Challenge
The Event
WHAT
Singapore-Global Firefighters and Paramedics Challenge 2015
WHERE
Singapore Expo Hall 2
WHEN
Today: 11am to 7pm
Tomorrow: 1pm to 7pm
TICKETS
Free admission
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