Hero banner for all pages except home page
Within the high-rise office building at 250 North Bridge Road, SCDF officers were methodically setting up rescue equipment on the 29th and 30th floors. Right outside the windows, a gondola was suspended in mid-air and tilted at 45 degrees, with two workers stranded in it.
Upon arrival, SCDF firefighters immediately assessed the gondola's stability, and the condition of the workers within. PHOTO: SCDF
Once rescue ropes were set up from a sturdy pillar within the office, a Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) Specialist deftly climbed out of the window and onto the gondola. One by one, the workers were safely brought back into the building.
Behind the smooth rescue was a well-coordinated effort by officers from DART, Kallang Fire Station, and Central Fire Station.
Among those that responded to the incident were LTA Hanapi Bin Ninsawi, WO1 Md Naufal Bin Azlin, and SGT3 Junaidy Bin Salleh from DART, as well as WO2 Md Norazri Bin Abd Aziz and his team of firefighters from Kallang Fire Station.
(From left to right) SGT3 Junaidy Bin Salleh, WO2 Md Norazri Bin Abd Aziz, and WO1 Md Naufal Bin Azlin, worked with LTA Hanapi Bin Ninsawi (not in photo) to rescue the two workers stranded in the gondola. PHOTO: SCDF
“When we arrived, we immediately headed up to the 29th and 30th floors to reassure the workers,” WO2 Norazri shared.
“While their safety harnesses were still clipped on, the tilted angle of the gondola meant that they did not have a steady footing and had to hold on to the sides,” he added. “As they could not hear us through the windows, we used hand signals to reassure them that we are here to help.”
Poor weather conditions further complicated the situation. As the gondola swayed in the heavy rain and strong winds, it struck the building’s windows at times.
“There was a risk that the workers’ equipment could fall off the gondola and pose a danger to those at ground level,” WO2 Norazri recalled.
“Our colleagues from the Singapore Police Force provided crucial support by cordoning off the area below, ensuring the safety of passers-by. Meanwhile, we secured the gondola and made necessary space on the 29th and 30th floors for our DART Specialists to commence their rescue,” he added.
Emergency responders from Central Fire Station helped to secure the gondola and ensure the wellbeing of the workers. (From left to right) SGT2 Nur Syafiq, SGT3 Keith Lye, LTC Hon Yih Loong, SGT1 Theodore Vaccarella, LCP Pua Yu Jie, and SGT2 Darren Wong. (Not in photo) CPL Randy Wong, and Emergency Medical Services crew comprising SGT2 Angelis Wong, SGT2 Nur Iqmal, CPL Bryan Soh and CPL Taufiq Al Hakim. PHOTO: CENTRAL FIRE STATION
WO2 Md Norazri Bin Abd Aziz (back row, centre) and his team constantly provided reassurance to the workers throughout the rescue operation. PHOTO: SCDF
Upon DART’s arrival, the teams jointly assessed the situation. “We quickly identified an anchor point that we could start our rescue from. The anchor point must be strong and stable to withstand loads and act as a fall arrest. We initially considered using the emergency exit staircase as the anchor point, but quickly decided on the sturdy pillar in the office instead,” LTA Hanapi said.
Rescue ropes set up from anchor points on the 29th and 30th floors were crucial in ensuring that the rescue could be conducted safely. PHOTO: LTA HANAPI BIN NINSAWI
“Anchor points can be a pillar or a beam, as long as it is strong enough for us to lower our rescuer down to the gondola,” LTA Hanapi explained, noting that it is rare to find strong anchor points in an office setting.
LTA Hanapi Bin Ninsawi (back row, centre), who has been with DART for 11 years, strategised and coordinated with WO2 Md Norazri Bin Abd Aziz to rescue both workers. PHOTO: SCDF
“We briefed WO2 Norazri and his team on the rescue approach, so they could position themselves and help bring the workers to safety,” LTA Hanapi shared.
As the window could only be opened at a limited angle, SGT3 Junaidy, with his lean and compact stature, was deployed to enter the gondola. WO1 Naufal conducted thorough checks on the ropes and equipment to ensure SGT3 Junaidy’s safety.
“As the Section Commander, I had the responsibility of ensuring that the proper rigging and safety protocols were followed,” WO1 Naufal explained. “Once I confirmed that SGT3 Junaidy was fitted with a harness and secured, I gave him the green light to proceed with the rescue.”
Climbing out from the window and onto the gondola, SGT3 Junaidy quickly put the workers at ease. “Naturally, they were anxious, so I reassured them, ‘Stay calm, we are here to save you.’”
Despite the language barrier, SGT3 Junaidy used hand gestures and a calm, reassuring voice to communicate with the workers.
SGT3 Junaidy Bin Salleh ensuring the safety of the worker as DART Specialists and SCDF firefighters brought the worker safely through the window. PHOTO: SCDF
“As one side of the gondola was tilted upwards, we had to evacuate the first worker through the 30th floor window, and the other through a window on the 29th floor,” LTA Hanapi said.
Working closely with the firefighters who were already stationed near the windows, the DART Specialists carefully pulled the workers to safety within 20 minutes. Both workers were assessed by an SCDF paramedic and conveyed to the hospital in a stable condition.
This rescue operation demonstrated the close coordination between the various SCDF units, working in concert to save lives. PHOTO: SCDF
“There was a great sense of relief when the workers were brought in safely. I am proud of my team’s professionalism and composure despite the challenging circumstances,” WO2 Norazri shared. “This incident also embodied the Home Team spirit, in which we work closely with each other for mission success.”
For LTA Hanapi, the incident reinforced the importance of training, teamwork and safety in such operations. “In DART, we train regularly to prepare for such incidents,” he said. “Each of us played a critical role in making the rescue successful. Well done, and good job team!”