25-05-2025
CCK, Bukit Gombak residents try firefighting, first aid to enhance resilience during emergencies
Residents trying to put out a fire at Chua Chu Kang GRC and Bukit Gombak SMC's Community Resilience Day event on May 25. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
SINGAPORE – As residents living near community sports facility The Arena @ Keat Hong were heading to breakfast or their Sunday grocery shopping on May 25, a 'scuffle' broke out between two men.
The altercation left one person with an injured arm, while the other started to go into cardiac arrest.
But before the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and the police could arrive on the scene, two civilian responders from the People's Association Community Emergency Response Team (PA CERT ) swooped in to help after spotting the commotion.
One of the PA CERT responders provided first aid to the man with the injured arm, while the other performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the other party. Another two civilian responders, who were alerted to the incident via SCDF's myResponder app, located the nearest automated external defibrillator (AED) and applied it to the man.
The incident was part of a simulation at Chua Chu Kang GRC and Bukit Gombak SMC's Community Resilience Day event on May 25 that showed how civilians can work together with uniformed personnel in responding to emergencies.
PA CERT members are trained in performing CPR and using AEDs. Formed in 2004, PA CERT is a group of volunteers under the PA Community Emergency and Engagement Committees that seeks to raise crisis preparedness in the community, respond to emergencies and help the community in the recovery process.
Looking out for one another and being vigilant is a responsibility that must be shared by everyone in the community, said Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng at the event.
Manpower Minister Tan See Leng performing CPR on a mannequin at the Community Resilience Day event.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Dr Tan was joined by other Chua Chu Kang GRC MPs, which includes Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Social and Family Development Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim – both newly minted political office-holders – and Dr Choo Pei Ling.
'Anytime someone collapses, whether it's because of a cardiac arrest, because of a stroke, the brain needs oxygen, and you only have about four minutes to respond before the brain suffers damage because of the lack of oxygen,' said Dr Tan.
Making reference to the simulation, he added: 'As you can see from our first responders, how they very quickly assess the person who is lying down, and they started CPR almost immediately, that is crucial, because then it ensures that the blood continues to be pumped to the brain.'
(From right) Manpower Minister Tan See Leng, Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow, Chua Chu Kang GRC MP Choo Pei Ling and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Social and Family Development Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim at the Community Resilience Day event.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
At the event, some 1,500 residents not only tried performing basic first aid and CPR, but also experienced putting out a fire at a booth at The Arena by the SCDF that drew a long queue of enthusiastic children.
Another favourite was a booth by the Republic of Singapore Air Force that featured interactive simulators.
Mr Leow Foo Kay, 51, said he took his seven-year-old son, who dreams of being a pilot, to the event to show him different ways of contributing to the community.
'I hope that events like these will inspire him to pick up lifesaving skills to help others in the future,' said Mr Leow, who works in finance.
Children dressed up as police officers and firefighters at the Community Resilience Day event.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Wong Yang is a journalist at The Straits Times, covering housing, property, land use and community stories.
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