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While patrolling the carpark at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College West, a suspiciously unattended bag caught the eye of the vigilant security officer. Acting swiftly, he cordoned off the area and moved the students to a safer place.

Moments later, an unknown man grabbed the bag and sprinted towards a group of students. Before anyone could react, he detonated the explosives within, causing mass casualties.

What unfolded at ITE College West was no drama plot - it was Exercise Heartbeat, a counterterrorism and emergency preparedness exercise under the SGSecure movement, to prepare the community for terror attacks.

Civil Defence Lionhearters who were trained in lifesaving skills braved the smoke and flames to assist the injured. PHOTO: SCDF

At the onset of the exercise, Daryl Chin Jun Kai, a Civil Defence Lionhearter, tended to a casualty with excessive bleeding from the left arm. Using the Improvised First Aid Skills (IFAS) technique of “Press, Tie, Tell”, he used a bandage and pen to apply pressure on the wound and stop the bleeding.

At the other end of the carpark, his fellow Civil Defence Lionhearter, Lim Yi Hui, was also administering first aid to another casualty, before the arrival of SCDF’s Emergency Medical Services.

In an unexpected escalation of events, armed assailants drove into the carpark and fired at the bewildered students. Yi Hui quickly ran to safety while Daryl hid behind a pillar with a casualty, demonstrating the SGSecure advisory to “Run, Hide, Tell” in the event of a terrorist attack.

A tense exchange of gunfire ensued between the gunmen and the police officers. PHOTO: SCDF

Some students were taken hostage by the gunmen in an indoor sports hall. Police officers moving in tactical formation swiftly neutralised the threat and rescued the hostages. PHOTO: SCDF

SCDF firefighters and paramedics triaging, treating and evacuating casualties on scene. PHOTO: SCDF

Civil Defence Lionhearters assisted SCDF paramedics at the first aid point, attending to casualties according to the severity of their injuries, indicated by a colour-coded system. PHOTO: SCDF

“Red indicates critical casualties who need to be evacuated quickly, while yellow and green represent those with moderate and light injuries respectively,” Daryl explained.

Civil Defence Lionhearters, Lim Yi Hui (left) and Daryl Chin Jun Kai (right), are trained to provide first aid to casualties while ensuring their own safety. PHOTO: SCDF

Although they had rehearsed for the exercise, Daryl and Yi Hui were still taken aback by its realism. “As this was our first time participating in such an exercise, the loud blast caught us off guard,” Yi Hui shared. “This experience, however, taught us how to respond quickly and calmly in a crisis.”

Daryl added, “This exercise reminded us that emergencies can happen at any time. Thus, it is important to equip ourselves with lifesaving skills, so that we can protect ourselves and our loved ones.”

He also pointed out that such exercises provide opportunities for Civil Defence Lionhearters to collaborate with SCDF, fostering trust between Community First Responders and the SCDF.

Daryl (left) and Yi Hui (right) demonstrating some of the first aid skills they have learnt. PHOTO: SCDF

Since its inception in 2009, the Civil Defence Lionhearter Club has expanded across various academic institutions, equipping tertiary students with lifesaving skills and preparing them to render aid during emergencies.

When asked about her experience with the Civil Defence Lionhearter Club, Yi Hui shared, “It’s a meaningful and enriching co-curricular activity because it allows you to learn useful lifesaving skills, while helping others in need.”

“We’ve learnt crucial skills such as first aid, CPR-AED, fire safety, and the IFAS technique,” she said, adding that she has also imparted some first aid skills to her family members.

With a bandage and pen, the IFAS technique can help to stop excessive bleeding before the arrival of SCDF’s Emergency Medical Services. PHOTO: SCDF

Daryl nodded in agreement, noting that the experience has been incredibly rewarding, especially during the Community Resilience Day events. “When we visit neighbourhoods to teach residents first aid skills, it’s heartening to see many people who are eager to learn. When they successfully learn these skills, it gives us a great sense of accomplishment,” he said, smiling.

All five Civil Defence Lionhearters who participated in this Exercise Heartbeat are classmates. They joined the Civil Defence Lionhearter Club to learn lifesaving skills together. PHOTO: SCDF

As the Civil Defence Lionhearter Club marks its 15th anniversary this year, Daryl and Yi Hui hope that more individuals will step forward as Community First Responders, contributing to this collective effort to save lives.