Learning new skills every day

Learning new skills every day
PHOTO: Learning new skills every day

What you need

Entry requirements for Fire Staff Sergeant:

At least a diploma from a local polytechnic

Physically fit and can pass the IPPT

Good hearing and eyesight (maximum 400 degrees per eye)

Able to distinguish major colours

At least 1.63m tall

A minimum chest measurement of 79cm (deflated)

Weigh at least 57kg

Career progression for Airport Emergency Officers:

Fire Lance Corporal

Fire Corporal

Fire Sergeant

Fire Staff Sergeant (Starting rank for diploma holders)

Fire Warrant Officer

Senior Fire Warrant Officer Successful candidates will be on probation for six months. During this period, they will undergo the three-month Basic Airport Firefighter Course at the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA). This will be followed by on-the-job training and/or any other core functional training deemed necessary to meet the required competencies.

After this initial training phase, officers will be deployed to Changi Airport, Seletar Airport or one of the military airbases in Singapore. Over time, they may also be sent to the Fire Safety Unit and the SAA as part of their career development.

He was a complete greenhorn when he started his career.

Five years later, Fire Staff Sergeant (SSG) Alex Wong Woon Terk, 29, has a variety of operational and leadership skills under his belt.

SSG Wong, who joined the Airport Emergency Service (AES) in 2007, said: "Since I was young, I have looked up to firemen and medical professionals who save lives and help others.

"I always thought of these to be noble career options as well as a chance to give back to society.

"When the opportunity came for me to pursue my passion in the world's most-awarded airport, I quickly grabbed it and have not looked back since. It is one of the best decisions I have ever made."

SSG Wong went through a four-month basic aircraft rescue and fire-fighting training course at the Singapore Aviation Academy in July 2007 before he was posted to Changi Airport Fire Station 1.

He was then a trainee under the Airport Emergency Specialist Scheme.

He was promoted to SSG in July 2010.

He said: "I was put through a basic aircraft rescue and fire-fighting training course to equip me with the skills and knowledge required of an Airport Emergency Specialist. When I was posted to Fire Station 1, I had to oversee a team of airport firefighters.

"My role as a junior supervisor was to ensure that my team and I would be able to professionally mitigate any emergency that occurred in the airport with minimal risk to life and property.

"This was an extremely challenging role, which demanded that my team and I be trained according to the highest standards possible and be ready to attend to as many emergency scenarios as possible, ranging from aircraft on fire to handling hazardous materials."

SSG Wong also trained and developed his staff, and performed watchroom radio and telecommunication duties. In 2009, he was posted to the airport Fire Safety Unit (FSU), where he is still based.

He said: "The FSU is a specialised unit within the AES that oversees the fire safety of the four passenger terminal buildings as well as the many other buildings owned by Changi Airport Group (CAG).

"As a fire safety specialist, I am tasked with looking into preventing fires and/or other unsafe situations in Changi Airport.

My duties typically revolve around fire safety management, which include conducting regular building fire safety inspections to remove fire hazards as well as monitoring construction and renovation activities in the airport.

"My nine-member team and I endeavour to provide fire safety education programmes to at least 6,000 airport staff and tenants every year to ensure that they know how to create a safe environment and know what to do in case a fire, building evacuation or other emergencies arise."

While SSG Wong was at Fire Station 1, when an emergency arose at the aircraft movement areas, the AES team had to be at the scene within two minutes of being activated.

SSG Wong said: "This is not a job for the faint-hearted. One aircraft incident occurred while I was in the midst of attending nature's call!

"When the siren sounded, a sudden burst of adrenaline went through me as I got ready to get into the fire vehicle and spring into action within 15 seconds after it sounded."

SSG Wong joined the AES with a Diploma in Computer Science.

Thanks to support from his supervisors and sponsorship from CAG, he pursued a part-time Bachelor of Science in Facilities Management awarded by Heriot-Watt University, and completed his degree last year.

He said: "I am an advocate of continuous learning. I came into the AES with zero knowledge and skills.

"After five years on the job, I am still learning something new every day. My role in the FSU has exposed me to the prevention, mitigation, engineering and educational aspects of fire safety and emergency management.

"The work rotation has allowed me to view fire safety and emergency management from various angles and perspectives, and the diverse roles have enabled me to grow and develop as an officer in CAG."

SSG Wong has also become fitter and mentally sharpened by the challenges he has been exposed to.

"This job requires you to think on your feet and react to an emergency situation within split seconds.

"If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, away from the routine and mundane and are game enough to want to face new challenges and gain unique experiences along the way, then the AES is the place for you." he added.

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