The first Singapore Global Fire Fighters & Paramedics Challenge organised by the SCDF was held earlier this morning at the National Service Training Institute at 9.30am. The Guest of Honour for the event was Mr Masagos Zulkifli Bin Masagos Mohamad, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs.

The challenge is a platform in which SCDF personnel from the fire stations and Operationally Ready National Servicemen from the Divisions pit their strength, speed and skills against one another in challenging events related to fire-fighting and rescue scenarios. It is also a platform for the international participants to share their knowledge and best practices with one another through friendly competition.

The challenge consisted of two segments, a local segment and an international segment. About 100 fire fighters, paramedics, and ORNSmen participated for the local segment, and
3rd CD Division emerged as the overall champion. About 50 elite rescuers from Singapore and nine other countries participated in the International segment. The countries include Australia*, Bangladesh*, Brunei, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Macau SAR, Malaysia, Myanmar* and Thailand. A composite team approach, which involved teams made up of representatives from different countries competing against each other was adopted for the international segment. This allowed for the cultivation of comradeship amongst international participants.

(*Participated for the first time.)