On November 28, a man found himself in a precarious situation, having fallen about 4m into the sprinkler pump room of a factory.
The SCDF was summoned into action around 4.50 pm. The emergency responders, a mix of firefighters, an ambulance crew, and specialists from the Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Dart), were swiftly activated to perform a rescue operation at the specified location.
Upon reaching the scene, the rescue team was met with the sight of a man seated at the bottom of the sprinkler pump room.
The man, as per SCDF’s statement, was about to undertake maintenance works when the unforeseen incident occurred.
It’s not uncommon for maintenance work to turn into an unexpected ordeal. In this case, routine maintenance quickly took a downturn when the man fell through the opening of the pump room.
SCDF & DART activated
The SCDF’s prompt arrival was instrumental in the subsequent success of the rescue operation. Upon reaching the location, the responders assessed the situation, taking note of the man’s condition and the challenges posed by the confined space of the pump room.
To reach the trapped individual, five SCDF officers, including a paramedic, descended into the pump room using a cat ladder.
Upon reaching the injured man, it became evident that immediate medical attention was necessary. Experiencing pain in his back and left leg, the paramedic took swift action to immobilize the man, preventing any further injury.
The entry of Dart officers into the scenario marked a shift in the operation. One Dart officer was lowered into the pump room, attaching himself to the injured man before lifting him out of the pit.
SCDF’s statement
[Rescue Operation @ 1 Pandan Crescent]
Yesterday evening, at about 4:50pm, SCDF emergency responders comprising firefighters and an ambulance crew from Clementi Fire Station, and specialists from the Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) were activated for a rescue operation at the abovementioned location.
Upon SCDF’s arrival, a man was found sitting at the bottom of a sprinkler pump room, about four metres in depth. The man was reportedly about to conduct maintenance for the sprinkler pump system when he fell through the opening of the pump room.
Five SCDF personnel, including a paramedic, climbed down the cat ladder to assess the man’s condition. As the man was feeling immense pain at his back area and his left leg, the paramedic administered medication to relieve his pain.
DART specialists proceeded to set up the rescue equipment while the paramedic continued to work on immobilising the injured man to prevent further injuries when he is lifted out of the pump room.
A DART specialist was lowered into the pump room and secured the man onto him, before they were both lifted out of the pump room.
The man was conveyed to National University Hospital.