SCDF clinches 2 Ministry of Home Affairs awards
Purchase this article for republication
Buy SPH photos
In one disaster they faced searing heat and thick, black smoke that reduced visibility to zero, while in the other, they had to race against time and caustic, hardening cement to extract two bodies underground.
For its role in resolving the East Village Hotel fire and the Downtown Line Bugis worksite accident, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) received two awards at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) National Day Observance Ceremony on Monday morning.
"These officers are representative of the men and women in the Home Team who are dedicated to keeping their fellow Singaporeans safe and secure, even at risk to themselves," said Second Minister for Home Affairs S. Iswaran, who was the guest of honour at the ceremony.
The SCDF received the Special Commendation Award for its search and rescue operations during the two disasters, which occurred in the span of three days in July, and the force's elite Disaster and Rescue Team (Dart), which consists of about 90 members, received the MHA National Day Award (Team).
