Hero banner for From NSF to CDAU Firefighter
Five years after completing his Full-time National Service (NS) with SCDF, SGT2(V) Muhammad Azfar Bin Mazlan continues to serve as a Civil Defence Auxiliary Unit (CDAU) volunteer firefighter at Central Fire Station.
SGT2(V) Muhammad Azfar Bin Mazlan has been a volunteer firefighter with the Civil Defence Auxiliary Unit since 2021. PHOTO: SCDF
His passion for firefighting began early in life. Growing up opposite Sengkang Fire Station, he would often hear the sirens of fire engines and eagerly watched firefighters respond to emergencies, wondering where they were headed and hoping to be among them one day.
That opportunity came in 2018, when he was posted to SCDF for his NS.
“Through the Firefighter Course, I developed not just physical strength, but also the mental resilience and determination to keep going in the face of challenges,” he recalled.
After his training, SGT2(V) Azfar was posted to Central Fire Station as a firefighter, where he gained experience from various incidents, including high-rise fires and water rescue operations.
The first incident he responded to was a fire at a shophouse in Balestier. As his crew approached the affected building, he saw black smoke billowing from it.
“My colleagues were composed and efficient as they set up the equipment. They knew what to do and seeing how they worked as a team gave me confidence,” he recalled.
As he approached the end of his NS in 2020, SGT2(V) Azfar decided to voluntarily extend his service for another year. By then, it was not just the work that kept him going.
“My colleagues were keen to share their knowledge and always encouraged me to improve my skills and be a better version of myself. I really wanted to continue learning and contribute where I could,” he said.
Towards the end of his extended service, his supervisor introduced him to CDAU.
Established in 2006, CDAU volunteers complement SCDF regular officers and full-time National Servicemen in vocations such as firefighting and rescue, emergency medical services, and public education.
“I thought, ‘Why not?’, and decided to go for it,” SGT2(V) Azfar said.
Since 2021, he has served as a CDAU firefighter at Central Fire Station, alongside his full-time job as a firefighter at an energy and chemical plant on Jurong Island.
For SGT2(V) Azfar, volunteering with SCDF and working as a firefighter at an energy and chemical plant have exposed him to different operational environments and broadened his knowledge. PHOTO: SGT2(V) MUHAMMAD AZFAR BIN MAZLAN
Over the years, SGT2(V) Azfar has responded to numerous incidents, but one incident was particularly unforgettable.
In 2023, he responded to a unit fire along Kitchener Road, where the affected unit was engulfed in flames.
His Deputy Rota Commander spotted an elderly woman in the adjacent unit calling for help. She was unable to evacuate due to the thick smoke and encroaching fire.
“When we reached her and brought her to safety, we could see the relief on her face. I will always remember that moment. It reminds me that our presence can give people a sense of hope and reassurance in times of need,” he said.
Experiences like these have shaped how SGT2(V) Azfar views the role of a firefighter.
“Being a firefighter is more than just responding to emergencies. It is about taking responsibility, working as a team, and being there for people when they need help,” he said. “The job has also changed the way I view life. As emergencies can happen any time, I have learnt never to take safety for granted and to appreciate the people around me.”
Over time, SGT2(V) Azfar has come to cherish the bonds with his colleagues at the fire station.
“After spending so much time together, the fire station feels like my second home,” he said with a laugh.
He also volunteers during Fire Station Open House on Saturdays, guiding members of the public through the fire station and sharing his experience as a volunteer firefighter.
“I would often tell them that I am not a regular officer, full-time National Serviceman or reservist,” he shared, adding that many visitors were surprised to learn that he is a volunteer firefighter.
Through these interactions, he hopes to give the members of the public a better understanding of CDAU and the volunteering opportunities available if they want to contribute to civil defence.
His dedication to volunteering was recognised when he received the CDAU Exemplary Officer Award in 2023 and most recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs National Day Award for Home Team Volunteers.
SGT2(V) Azfar receiving the Ministry of Home Affairs National Day Award for Home Team Volunteers from Mr K. Shanmugam, Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs at the Home Team Academy on 29 July 2026. PHOTO: SCDF
“When I was informed of the award, I was surprised and very grateful. I volunteered without expecting any recognition. I simply wanted to do something I enjoy, while serving the community and helping people in times of need,” he said.
Five years on, SGT2(V) Azfar continues to find meaning in volunteering, supported by the people around him. He is especially grateful for his family’s understanding, as performing his duties means that he has less time at home.
“My mother would text me and ask, ‘Are you coming home tonight or are you at your second home?’” he said with a laugh. “I am also grateful to all the past and present SCDF officers who had supported and guided me to become a better firefighter and person. Everything they taught me shaped me into who I am today.”
Interested in volunteering with SCDF? Visit the Home Team Volunteer Network to find out more about CDAU and how you can get involved.