Protecting us from Dusk till Dawn

While our city sleeps, our dedicated SCDF frontliners remain vigilant and ready for action at a moment’s notice. In this feature story, Rescue995 caught up with a firefighter and a paramedic, as they shared some insights of the challenges and memorable moments during their night shift tour of duty.

Staff Sergeant (SSG) Ahmad Syafie Bin Sheikh Najib Bagharib is a Fire and Rescue Specialist (FRS) and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) at Changi Fire Station, with nine years of operational experience under his belt.

SSG Syafie remains vigilant and ready for action, throughout the night. PHOTO: SCDF/Thomas Lim.

Rescue995: Could you describe your dual role as an FRS and EMT?

SSG Syafie: As an FRS, I am focused on firefighting and rescue during fire incidents. Whenever we come across casualties, my training as an EMT will kick in. I will work closely with our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) colleagues to provide medical assistance to the casualties.  

Rescue995: Can you share some challenges of being on duty throughout the night?

SSG Syafie: We generally receive more emergency calls during the day, but being on duty at night comes with its own unique challenges. We have to maintain tip-top physical and mental readiness, as it is possible for us to get consecutive emergency calls in the wee hours of the night.

Rescue995: How do you stay alert and ready throughout the night?

SSG Syafie: It comes down to conditioning and adapting our body clocks to our work demands. This also means that I have to conserve my energy and get sufficient rest when I am off duty. This requires some balancing between family commitments, social life, and leisure activities. It is not enough to be just physically present at work but it is our personal responsibility to be sufficiently rested and mentally prepared, so that we can respond to emergencies at any time. For the fire crews, we have to be at the incident site within 8 minutes after being activated by our 995 Operations Centre.

Rescue995: Could you share a memorable incident that you responded to at night?

SSG Syafie: We responded to a fire at Bedok Reservoir Road at around 3 a.m. With thick black smoke billowing out from a unit on the 12^th floor, we knew there was no time to waste. While our fire engine Pump Operator oversaw the setup of the water supply, the rest of us rushed up the stairs, with all our firefighting and forcible entry equipment. With exceptional teamwork from everyone, we swiftly extinguished the fire, preventing any injuries and confining the damage to the affected unit. I felt that getting up to the fire through the 12 flights of stairs was no less challenging than fighting the fire itself! But these are the scenarios we train for regularly and it is no wonder that every fire station comes with a hose tower for fire station crews to carry out their ‘high-rise’ drills! Nevertheless, after that shift, I had the most restful sleep ever!

Sergeant (SGT3) Umar Mohamed Sobri Bin Mohammad Khair is a paramedic at Kallang Fire Station, with three years of experience in responding to medical emergencies. Like other frontliners in SCDF’s EMS, SGT3 Umar works on 12-hour shifts, either from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., or 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. After completing two consecutive shift duties, he and his crew will rest for two days before being assigned to two-night shift duties, which will then be followed by two rest days.

Rescue995: How do you stay vigilant throughout the night shift?

SGT Umar: Having a good rest before my night shift is crucial. The day before my duty, I will avoid strenuous sports and get ample rest at home. At suitable times during the night shift, I will have some healthy light snacks and a soft drink to keep myself alert. In between incidents, we also take the time to chat with our colleagues, usually sharing notes of the medical cases that we have attended to. Such sharing of experiences is very valuable as it helps us to accumulate knowledge of treating medical cases that we may not have encountered yet. This is where I like talking to the very senior paramedics who have a wealth of knowledge and frontline experience.

Rescue995: How do you balance work and family commitments, especially when you have to do consecutive night duties?

SGT Umar: I am the only son, and I am thankful to my parents for being supportive and understanding when I am away for work. My relatives also help my parents whenever they can, and I am thankful for this.

Rescue995: How do you condition yourself to the night shifts?

SGT Umar: My body clock has gotten used to it. However, the process of adapting to it in the beginning was challenging.  The key is to have ample rest, exercise regularly, and stay healthy.

Rescue995: Do you have any memorable incidents to share with us?

SGT Umar: I remember an incident from my time as a paramedic trainee under the mentorship of Warrant Officer (WO1) Muhammad Husnul Bin Halim at Tampines Fire Station. We responded to a medical emergency at around 2:30 a.m. An expecting mother was experiencing contractions at home and was about to give birth. We conducted our prerequisite medical checks at the home and again in the ambulance, to determine if we had to deliver the baby. While en-route to the hospital, she experienced another severe contraction, with imminent signs of delivery. We stopped the ambulance at a safe place to commence the delivery. When I saw the baby’s feet emerging in a breech position, I knew that it could be dangerous and raced to make the necessary adjustments. Trusting my prior training and my mentor’s guidance, we delivered the baby safely. 

[From left to right] CPL (NS) Muhamad Affiq Malik, SGT3 Umar Mohamed Sobri Bin Mohammad Khair, SGT3 Muhammad Aizat Bin Mohamad Salim and WO1 Muhammad Husnul Bin Halim with the baby after the safe delivery. PHOTO: SCDF (PICTURE WAS TAKEN WITH CONSENT OF THE BABY’S PARENTS)

Rescue995: How has this incident changed your feelings towards your role as a paramedic?

SGT Umar: At the time of the incident, I was a paramedic trainee who had yet to become a fully-fledged paramedic. This life-changing experience gave me the confidence and assurance to assume the role of a paramedic. I knew that I could lead an ambulance crew and play my part in saving lives.