Firefighters in marine ops now backed by emergency medical crew

Crew of one paramedic and two emergency medical technicians deployed in temporary protocol

- Elaine Lee

Firefighters attending to marine incidents are now accompanied by a crew of three emergency medical services (EMS) personnel from fire stations on land.

The temporary protocol, introduced on July 1, is aimed at enhancing operational safety of marine firefighting operations, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said on July 16 in response to queries.

An internal review that was convened following Captain Kenneth Tay Xue Qin's death while fighting a fire on board a ship on May 16 is ongoing, added SCDF.

The EMS crew that is now deployed to support firefighters aboard vessels comprises one paramedic and two emergency medical technicians (EMTs), who will be activated from the nearest land fire station to the incident.

Prior to the interim measure, an EMS crew member would be sent to the nearest landing point, such as a ferry terminal, to stand by after confirmation of a medical emergency that arose from a marine firefighting operation.