SINGAPORE, Dec 10 — The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will be holding a ceremonial funeral to honour Edward H Go, the full-time national serviceman (NSF) who died from the blaze at a Henderson Road flat on Thursday (December 8).
He is the first firefighter in Singapore to have perished during a firefighting operation.
Naming the 19-year-old for the first time since the incident, SCDF revealed in a press statement on Friday night that Go had been involved in more than 20 fire and rescue incidents.
He was about to complete his first year with the force.
“SCDF is deeply saddened by the death of Corporal Edward. He is our first colleague to have fallen during an operation,” it said.
“We extend our deepest condolences to his family, and are providing them with our fullest support. With the agreement of the family, we will be holding a ceremonial funeral to honour Corporal Edward H Go.”
Go began his National Service with SCDF on January 5 this year and had completed his training to be a firefighter on April 28.
“Prior to enlistment, Corporal Edward was certified medically fit and assessed to be of Physical Employment Standards' (PES) ‘A’,” SCDF said. NSFs are ranked from A to F based on their medical conditions, with A being the highest standard.
“After completing his firefighter course, Corporal Edward was posted to Central Fire Station on May 4, 2022. Since his posting to the fire station, he had responded to more than 20 fire and rescue incidents.”
On Thursday, Go was part of the first-response crew to a fire incident at Block 91 Henderson Road at around 11.10am. SCDF said that during the firefighting operation, the NSF fell unconscious in the kitchen area of a flat.
After he was carried out of the unit, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation was performed on him.
“An SCDF ambulance crew at the scene also used the automated external defibrillator on him and conveyed him to Singapore General Hospital. He was pronounced dead at the hospital,” SCDF said on Friday.
SCDF said that its frontline units comprise regulars, NSFs and operationally ready national servicemen who are all trained in various roles.
“SCDF officers, like Corporal Edward, put their lives on the line each time they enter the scene of a fire in order to save others.”
Commissioner Eric Yap from the force said that Go was “bravely carrying out his duty to save lives and property”.
“He was a courageous firefighter who was well-liked by his supervisors and colleagues. He was highly committed and dedicated to his duties.”
Earlier in the day, SCDF said that it will close all fire station open houses temporarily as a mark of respect to the NSF. ― TODAY
