Not just about hunky firemen

Posted by Kimberly under Buildings and Monuments, Heritage Sites and Trails, Museums/Heritage Galleries, National History
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Mmm, a hunky fireman, coated in sweat and grime, trudges through the blazing flames. In the immense heat, he is almost suffocated by fumes, yet he surges on to heroically save…a forlorn cat?

Okay so I’ve been watching too much television and my impression of firemen is understandably stereotypical. Still, being a fire fighter is nevertheless a job for the brave and selfless.

When the Heritage TV team visited the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery not too long ago, we were impressed by how far our Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has evolved through the years.

Situated at the Central Fire Station along Hill Street, it is easy to be awed by the 100-year-old majestic building and forget the cosy little gallery tucked away in a corner. Built in 1908 at a cost of SGD64,000, the Central Fire Station is a striking red and white striped colonial building and was gazaetted as a national monument in 1998. The hose tower of the fire station was Singapore’s highest point in the 1920s.

Officially opened on 22 November 2001, the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery traces fire fighting and civil defence developments in Singapore from the late 1800s till today. Besides heightening public awareness of civil defence, the gallery also features SCDF’s long, distinguished history.

We met Major Gobi who gave us a tour round the gallery and talked us through the various elements of fire fighting. In the 1900s, horse-drawn fire engines were summoned when a blaze was spotted. There were a few setbacks; it was tough manoeuvering the fire engines through narrow streets, and was costly maintaining the horses - it didn’t help that the animals got exhausted after short distances of pulling a heavy steam-powered engine behind them.

In 1906, the first self-propelled steam fire engine was brought to Singapore. Known as the “Fire King” to local firemen, the Merryweather Steam Fire Engine was imported from Britain and was reputably the best fire engine of the world then. To effectively put out fires, the engine’s boiler always contained hot water which in turn produced steam. In July that year, a major fire broke out in Singapore and both the horse-drawn carriages and the steam engines were deployed to fight the blazing flames. To much relief, the steam engine arrived to the scene first and put out the fire even before the horses arrived!

Today, simply dialling 995 would alert the authorities to send aid to the specified location. Previously reliant on fire cannons at Fort Canning to signal firemen, it was not till the 1940s that an infrastructure was established and the public could call for help with a public telephone.

The street fire alarm, installed on 31 December 1914, worked in a similar manner - one would need to just break the glass and wait anxiously for firemen to arrive.

For fire fighters, it was most essential to be well-protected on the job. Years ago, a fireman will be typically decked in a khaki uniform and a leather helmet (also known as the Hendry Leather Helmet). It didn’t do much to shield the fighters from the heat and the blaze. Major Gobi explained that a fire helmet can well decide between life and death in certain situations. As he brought out various helmets for us to exemplify how important these head gear were, we couldn’t help but appreciate the history and development of the fire brigade in Singapore.

The Hendry Leather Helmet displayed much influence from Singapore’s colonial traditions. What many fire fighters use today are Gallet Helmets - lightweight and tough, they provide ample neck and head protection. In Singapore, white helmets are used by officers, and orange helmets by firemen.

We discovered between the mid 1700 to 1800s, buildings that were covered by fire insurance were identified by a plaque on their facade. In a case of fire, should a building not be insured, fire fighters would only rescue occupants who were trapped and not be obliged to put out the flames! (Ah yes, the importance of buying insurance!)

Besides marvelling the comprehensive displays in the gallery, the HTV team picked up useful survival skills in times of emergency. As we watched video footage of the the Bukit Ho Swee fire - one of the major fire incidents in Singapore which resulted in the launch of the public housing scheme by HDB to provide safer living conditions - it only reminded us how important civil defence is. As Major Gobi aptly puts it - Readiness is our only protection, and we should never forget that.

Opened from Tuesdays to Sundays between 10am to 5pm, admission to the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery is free. Remember to check out this episode of HTV!

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