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(From left to right) LTA Abdul Rashid Bin Abdul Karim, SGT3 Muhammad Zulhafiz Bin Zulkifli, WO1 Hafiz Bin Mohd Ali, and SGT3 Muhammad Shafiq Bin Jaais - they climbed a 30-metre-high tower crane to rescue a man. PHOTO: SCDF
Set against the serene glow of the setting sun, WO1 Hafiz Bin Mohd Ali, a Fire and Rescue Specialist from Kallang Fire Station, and LTA Abdul Rashid Bin Abdul Karim, a Deputy Rescue Rota Commander from the Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART), began their careful ascent up a 30-metre-high tower crane.
After securing their harnesses and safety lines, the pair climbed steadily up the staggered cat ladders of the tower crane, carrying essential medical equipment, including an automated external defibrillator, an oxygen cylinder, and other medical supplies.
Minutes earlier, when they arrived at a construction site along Thiam Siew Avenue, the site manager informed them that the crane operator was unresponsive. After numerous attempts to contact him through a walkie-talkie, the site’s Safety Officer climbed up and found the crane operator unconscious in the cabin.
Upon reaching the crane cabin, the two rescuers found the man lying unconscious on the cabin floor.
“I did a quick check on his vitals and confirmed that his pulse and breathing were present,” LTA Rashid shared. “I immediately relayed the information to our colleagues at ground level. Our priority was to stabilise the patient, while our other DART colleagues set up the height lowering equipment.”
(From left to right) With substantial training and experience in height rescue, LTA Abdul Rashid Bin Abdul Karim, WO1 Muhammad Shahrul Bin Pungut, SGT3 Muhammad Shafiq Bin Jaais, and WO2 Bahiyudin Bin Abas were confident that they could rescue the man from the crane cabin. PHOTO: SCDF
With crane rescue scenarios being part of their staple training at the Civil Defence Academy (CDA), the DART Specialists drew on their experience to anticipate and overcome the challenges ahead.
“Our prior training at CDA helped us to plan and strategise the rescue operation,” LTA Rashid said. With 15 years of experience in DART, he oversaw the operations on the crane.
“Everyone knew their roles well, be it managing the belay system, conducting safety checks, and ensuring the patient’s wellbeing. With only a few of us up there, proper coordination was crucial,” LTA Rashid added.
Working together, LTA Rashid and WO1 Hafiz lowered a 100-metre rope from the cabin, allowing their colleagues on the ground to secure the basket stretcher, which they hoisted back up.
With limited space in the crane cabin and an unconscious man within, the team had to manoeuvre their equipment and basket stretcher carefully. PHOTO: LTA ABDUL RASHID BIN ABDUL KARIM
Inside the small cabin, space was tight, and every movement had to be planned carefully.
“Given the narrow openings and small cabin space, it was not easy for us to manoeuvre the basket stretcher,” LTA Rashid explained. “We had to tilt and slide it carefully through the gaps.”
As the oxygen was running low, SGT3 Muhammad Zulhafiz Bin Zulkifli climbed up the crane with a replacement cylinder. Despite not being fond of heights, he remained focused on the task. “I just told myself to keep climbing because the patient needed the oxygen,” SGT3 Zulhafiz said.
SGT3 Muhammad Zulhafiz Bin Zulkifli (left) and WO1 Hafiz Bin Mohd Ali monitored the man’s vital signs and administered oxygen throughout the rescue operation. PHOTO: SCDF
While the DART Specialists prepared the rescue equipment, WO1 Hafiz and SGT3 Zulhafiz focused on stabilising the patient, who drifted in and out of consciousness and had difficulty breathing.
“We continued to administer oxygen and checked his vital signs constantly, updating our colleagues on his condition,” WO1 Hafiz said.
On the ground, SGT3 Muhammad Syahkir Bin Shahar, a Firebiker, was in contact with WO1 Hafiz. He noted the patient’s vital signs, such as his body temperature, oxygen saturation, blood sugar level, and blood pressure and updated the paramedics promptly.
SGT3 Syahkir (back row, centre) relayed information of the patient’s condition to paramedics on the ground. PHOTO: SCDF
“While we were tending to the patient on the crane, our commanders on the ground also constantly checked in on our wellbeing,” SGT3 Zulhafiz said. “Everyone supported each other throughout the rescue operation.”
LTA Rashid (back row, first from left) and his team of DART Specialists are well-trained and ready for complex rescue missions. PHOTO: SCDF
While the patient was being secured to the basket stretcher, LTA Rashid and WO1 Shahrul managed the main line and belay system. WO2 Bahiyudin conducted a final safety check before SGT3 Shafiq was lowered down together with the patient.
SGT3 Muhammad Shafiq Bin Jaais constantly reassured the man as they were being lowered to the ground. PHOTO: SCDF
“On the way down, I kept talking to him, asking him simple questions such as his name and where he lived, to reassure him until we reached the ground,” SGT3 Shafiq recalled.
Once safely on the ground, the patient was carried to the ambulance, where he was assessed by an SCDF paramedic before conveyance to the hospital, marking the end of the hour-long rescue operation.
(From left to right) PTE Goh Yu Chen Royston, SGT2 Nur Hakeem Bin Zakeri, WO1 Muhammad Raflee Bin Samuri from Paya Lebar Fire Station assessed the patient and conveyed him to the hospital. PHOTO: PAYA LEBAR FIRE STATION
Reflecting on the incident, the rescuers shared a collective sense of relief and gratitude.
“I’m thankful that everyone, including the patient, is safe,” SGT3 Shafiq said. “Safety is always our top priority. The patient could be someone’s father or grandfather, so it was a relief to see him responsive and safe.”
The successful rescue operation was possible due to the coordinated effort between the DART Specialists and the firefighters from Kallang Fire Station. PHOTO: SCDF
For LTA Rashid, the close collaboration between his DART Specialists and the firefighters did not come by chance. Sharing the same premises at Kallang Fire Station, they have built a close-knit relationship, both during and outside of operations.
“Our station colleagues helped with the hoisting of the basket stretcher, securing the patient, and manoeuvring the stretcher to the right position to be lowered,” LTA Rashid shared. “With our combined knowledge and teamwork, we were able to carry out the rescue smoothly.”
“We are thankful to everyone who supported the operation and constantly checked in on us and the patient,” SGT3 Zulhafiz shared.
Nodding in agreement, WO1 Hafiz added, “We managed to overcome every challenge and bring the man to safety. At the end of the day, everyone goes home safely, and that’s what matters most.”