Singapore firefighter who died in blaze gets promoted and honored (Photos)

A young firefighter who lost his life during a fire operation has been honored this morning.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force gathered the firefighting troops and paid respects to 19-year-old Full-time national serviceman Corporal Edward H Go who collapsed and died while in a fire rescue operation at 91 Henderson Road on Thursday.

Go, who is the first firefighter in Singapore to have died during a fire rescue operation, was also posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant 1. 

SCDF officials and firefighters honored Go with a minute of silence and a tribute by SCDF commissioner Eric Yap: 

“His passing has hit everyone in the SCDF very hard. No words can adequately describe the profound sense of loss. We will remember SGT1 Edward’s selflessness, professionalism and commitment to duty. For those of us who knew him personally, they will remember how proud he was to be a firefighter. Let SGT1 Edward be an inspiration to all of us in SCDF.”

SCDF announced his death on Friday when Go was dispatched as the first response crew to a fire at Block 91 Henderson Road at around 11:10am on Thursday. He “fell unconscious” in the kitchen of the two-room unit on the 4th floor and was pronounced dead at Singapore General Hospital.

SCDF’s investigations found that the fire that engulfed the two-room unit on the 4th floor was likely caused by the electrical in the bedroom.

To honor him, a fire call alarm at SCDF’s headquarters, fire stations and the Civil Defence Academy was activated to symbolize “The Last Call” for Go, SCDF said this morning.

Blinkers and sirens of emergency vehicles were also sounded off as a mark of respect.

SCDF said Go started his National Service on Jan. 5 where he later completed his four months firefighter training in April. He was certified medically fit and was assigned to PES (Physical Employment Standards) A, the highest tier based on their medical conditions and put at the frontlines.

He was posted to Central Fire Station in May and has since responded to more than 20 fire and rescue incidents. 

“SCDF is deeply saddened by the death of CPL Edward. He is our first colleague to have fallen during an operation. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, and are providing them with our fullest support,” the force wrote.

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