Fatal 2017 fire prompted Singapore ‘to learn from tragedy and to lead with purpose’: Expert

SINGAPORE – A fatal fire in May 2017 at a building using non-compliant composite external cladding resulted in Singapore tightening policies and processes, which “has shown the world what it means to learn from tragedy and to lead with purpose”.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) president and chief executive Jim Pauley, a keynote speaker at the inaugural Singapore-International Disaster and Emergency Management Expo (Sidex) 2025 on Nov 19, used the fire, in which a woman died, at the CIT Building in Toh Guan Road to illustrate his point.

Investigations by the Singapore authorities revealed that 60 other buildings had also used the non-compliant cladding.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) stepped in to ensure that flammable cladding was removed, and subsequently put in place stricter policies and certification processes.

SCDF and the building industry also collaborated to rectify the improper use of unsafe composite panels in buildings.

Said Mr Pauley: “It’s a shining example of how you took hard lessons and turned them into real progress in the spirit of resilience.

“It’s what gives me hope, not just for Singapore but for our global fire-and-life safety community.”

Unfortunately, a month later, in June 2017, a fire broke out at Grenfell Tower in London, killing 72 people.

The high death toll was attributed to the building’s use of cladding made from plastic and aluminium.

“We knew what happened at Grenfell within a year. But it took us seven years to find out why it happened. Grenfell was a set of policy failures that actually started two decades before that fire ever took place,” Mr Pauley said.

The NFPA is a US-based international non-profit organisation devoted to stopping death, injury, property damage and economic loss caused by fire, electrical and related hazards.

At Sidex 2025, organised by the Cooperative of SCDF Employees (Cosem) and supported by SCDF, the aim is to share and learn from one another’s ground experiences.

Cosem chief executive Michael Chua said Sidex 2025 is a global platform for collaboration and learning in civil protection and emergency management.

“As risks become increasingly complex and unpredictable, our greatest strength lies in our ability to come together, sharing knowledge, experience and trust to protect lives, and build safer, more resilient communities,” he said.

Held at the Singapore Expo Hall 3 from Nov 19 to 21, the three-day conference and exhibition is touted as the largest professional event in the Asia-Pacific region focused on disaster management and emergency response.

Themed “Ready Today, Resilient Tomorrow”, Sidex 2025 brings together keynote and panel speakers from academia, emergency services, researchers and industry specialists to exchange views and best practices.

More than 400 conference delegates and thousands of exhibitors and trade visitors from over 20 countries are set to attend the event.

The guest of honour, Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim, who is Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs, said disasters and emergencies are increasing globally in scale and complexity.

“Disasters do not respect boundaries. Whether driven by climate change, pandemics or geopolitical disruptions, the effects of disasters often ripple across borders and around the region.

“I think that’s something we must be cognisant of...,” Prof Faishal said.

“To respond effectively, we must work together. Each country brings its unique expertise and experience. By sharing knowledge and leveraging our collective strengths, we can build a safer and more resilient world.”

At the exhibition hall, Prof Faishal was given a tour of the exhibits showcasing high-tech rescue equipment – from unmanned robotic systems and fire safety equipment, to virtual-reality training tools and the latest in first-aid kits.

Earlier, SCDF Commissioner Eric Yap presented Prof Faishal with a copy of Transforming Through The Years: Building A Nation Of Lifesavers, a book that traces SCDF’s growth.

At the SCDF booth, Commissioner Yap and Prof Faishal also launched the new Amphibious Firefighting and Rescue Vehicle (AFRV).

Jointly developed between SCDF and the Home Team Science and Technology Agency, the AFRV is a 5.8m-long vehicle designed to respond to emergencies at reservoirs and rivers.

The open-top AFRV has an integrated water-pump capability to support firefighting within inland water bodies.

It is also able to seamlessly traverse between land and inland water bodies with little transition time.

The AFRV is an upgrade from the previous Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team amphibious vehicle unveiled in 2018.

Visitors to Sidex 2025 can experience the future of disaster management and emergency response at the Technical Presentation Zone.

Leading companies, such as ST Engineering, are showcasing their innovative products and technologies that are transforming emergency response and saving lives.