SCDF holds observance ceremony for fallen firefighter Kenneth Tay
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SINGAPORE - Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) regular officer Captain Kenneth Tay, 30, who died while fighting a ship fire on May 16,
Paying tribute to him at the ceremony at SCDF’s Ubi headquarters, SCDF Commissioner Eric Yap said in his speech that CPT Tay will be remembered for his selflessness, professionalism and commitment.
He said: “This last fire call for Captain Kenneth remembers his dedication to duty from his years of service with the SCDF.
“In our one minute of silence, we honour his memory and give our highest respect to our fallen comrade.”
CPT Tay had joined the SCDF in December 2017.
About 200 SCDF personnel gathered at SCDF’s headquarters to observe the minute’s silence.
The ceremony was originally planned to be held at the parade square, but was moved to the auditorium due to the rain.
In remembrance of the late CPT Kenneth, an alarm rang at 7.10am across all 23 SCDF fire stations, the SCDF headquarters in Ubi, the headquarters of all five divisions and the Civil Defence Academy.
On May 16, CPT Kenneth Tay was serving as a marine rota commander at the West Coast Marine Fire Station when he lost consciousness while fighting a blaze on board China-flagged tanker Sheng Hang Hua 6.
PHOTO: KENNETH TAY/FACEBOOK
On May 16, CPT Tay was serving as a marine rota commander at the West Coast Marine Fire Station when he lost consciousness while fighting a blaze on board China-flagged tanker Sheng Hang Hua 6.
The marine vessel was anchored at Raffles Reserved Anchorage in the south-west of Singapore.
CPT Tay was pronounced dead at National University Hospital that day.
SCDF commissioner Eric Yap delivering his speech during the last call ceremony at the SCDF headquarters on May 20.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
Commissioner Yap said at the ceremony that those who knew CPT Tay would know how passionate he was about his duties, pointing out that CPT Tay was also a para-counsellor and career advocate in the SCDF.
He said: “This speaks volumes of his belief, passion, conviction and ambition of the life-saving force.”
Commissioner Yap added that the public depends on the SCDF and its officers like CPT Tay to help them in emergencies which can be a matter of life and death.
“SCDF officers put our lives on the line whenever we enter a fire, in order to save others. But still, we believe, and we will always give our utmost each time when we respond to a call for help,” he said.
The SCDF team includes regular officers like CPT Tay, full-time national servicemen, and even civil defence auxiliary unit volunteers, he added.
Commissioner Yap said that SCDF officers are well-trained and equipped for such missions, and the SCDF has performed well when called on.
“Let us continue to serve Singaporeans with pride and dedication, as CPT Tay did, and in doing so, honour his memory,” he said.
CPT Tay had studied nursing at the National University of Singapore after graduating from Catholic Junior College (CJC) in 2011.
His professor at NUS told ST on May 17 that CPT Tay had found his calling
CJC had said in a Facebook post on May 18 that CPT Tay will be remembered for his highly positive attitude towards learning, and for relating to his peers and teachers with kindness, sincerity and respect.
SCDF noted on May 16 that between 2018 and 2023, he had aced many proficiency and certification tests that firefighting officers have to take.
At the end of the ceremony, Commissioner Yap made his way to the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery at Bright Hill, where CPT Tay’s ceremonial funeral was being held.
This is the second time a firefighter has died in the line of duty here.
On Dec 8, 2022, NSF Edward H. Go died after battling a blaze in a rental flat
The 19-year-old NSF was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant (1).
