Top marks for SCDF Operation Lionheart in UN heavy urban rescue exercise

After a grueling 36-hour rescue exercise, the Singapore Civil Defence Force's (SCDF) elite overseas disaster assistance team retained its UN Insarag Heavy USAR classification—the highest international recognition for a disaster rescue team.

- Zaihan Mohamed Yusof

During the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (Insarag) external reclassification exercise that began on Aug 19, the SCDF Operation Lionheart contingent had to undergo multiple rescue scenarios, such as rescuing an "injured person" trapped behind a collapsed diagonal wall.

The exercise at the Home Team Tactical Centre (HTTC) in Mandai was reviewed by 13 International Insarag global classifiers, or peer experts, from seven countries, and observers from Australia, Brazil, Hong Kong, Qatar and France.

The classifiers focused on skills and competencies demonstrated during the search and rescue, as well as medical capabilities and logistical management, said Assistant Commissioner Chew Keng Tok, director of training and professional development at the HTTC, on Aug 21.

Rescuers used a hydraulic drill to punch a hole through a foot-thick concrete wall. The loud and dusty conditions, as well as metal rebars, made the task challenging.

The contingent also deployed search dogs to sniff out "survivors" buried under rubble.

A safety officer and classifier observed closely as a few rescuers carefully extricated an "injured person" trapped under a concrete slab.