05
HEROES
When you’re drafted into National Service, you’d pray you would be sent to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). That’s because it’s perceived as the least demanding service among the various regimental uniformed organisations (the others being Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore Police Force). The usual perception:”Singapore where got fire to fight?” Those in the military would think that the SCDF guys would do nothing whole day but play Sepak Takraw in their barracks while waiting for things to happen. If at all, the emergencies would usually be medical response to road accidents, or to look for victims that disappeared under water. Seldom anything that dramatic.
HEROES
But two days ago, Singapore experienced an unusual fire incident. An explosion that blew out a kitchen wall and window created a fire that gutted several apartments in an old Bukit Merah HDB block. I didn’t know how serious it was until I read the news today. While reading the Sunday Times, I came across this very heroic looking picture of the SCDF servicemen involved in the rescue of the trapped victims. And then I spotted my classmate – MAJ Lim Kian Boon (photo: second from left). He looked really dashing in this photo shoot that honoured the bravery of his rescue team.
Here’s what the Sunday Times said of the dramatic rescue effort:
The blaze on the sixth floor affected eight neighbouring units and one directly above it. Poor visibility, angling wires, the uneven debris-strewn floor, and the intense heat made the fire battleground treacherous for Major Lim Kian Boon, 31, who was leading that team, and is the officer commanding of Alexandra fire station.
When they spotted the 73-year-old resident Chan Fook Seng, they also saw the wall of fire that stood between them. His weak whimpering convinced that they could not wait.
With water jets suppressing the flames near the man, MAJ Lim and his teammate, NSF (National Service Fulltime) Sergeant Chris Cheung, rushed in.
The victim had 80 percent burns on his body and his flesh was raw.
SGT Cheung carried him on his back and struggled out of the blaze with MAJ Lim clearing the path of debris for him. A second team backed them up shortly and combed the area for survivors.
Here’s how Zaobao illustrated the rescue mission:
Rescue Mission
As far as I know of MAJ Lim Kian Boon, that’s what he’s like. I know of him as a good guy with a sense of justice. It’s no surprise that he joined the SCDF after graduating from university. We’re classmates back in Junior College. Not just that, we’re also in the same band. We knew Kian Bee by his nick KB. He was a gymnast, and he picked up playing the bass when Grunge music was the rage during that era (the mid-90s).
HEROES
In our class, we have a very talented musician, a former Chinese High boy who goes by the name Leonard. Together with a former River Valley High boy, Rob, they formed a two-man band – with Leonard on guitar and Rob on vocals. They’re going to take part in the school’s talent time contest. KB was roped in as the bassist, but they lacked a drummer. That’s how I got involved. Then, I was playing the taiko (太鼓) for the Japanese cultural society. (I’m tone deaf, so drums are just the instrument that I can manage).
Being in the band was one of the most memorable experience of my teenage years. It was one with laughter and tears, and much drama.
Our band was called “Doctor Pound”. The name is derived from our initials: “D”,”R”,”L” and “B” (KB used “B”, my name has an initial D. Initial D. Geddit?). So DR LB = Doctor Pound (Lb being the notation for the weight measurement ‘pound’)
Doctor Pound
From Left to Right: Myself (Drums), Leonard (composer, lyrics, guitar), KB (bass) and Rob (vocals, lyrics)
THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT THE MOST FLATTERING PICTURE OF OUR YOUTH. But it was 1993 then, we just came out of the dark age of 80s fashion. And we’re only 17 years old. The mistakes of youth. The centre parting hairstyle is a legacy of the Hong Kong band “Beyond” and also Aaron Kwok. *shudder*
Rob looked like a pontianak/transvestite because he had put on a thick layer of foundation to hide his Chicken Pox scars. Yeah, its full of drama – on the days leading up to the talent time competition and after that when the band broke up.
We had to cope with the pressure of the final year exams, as well as getting my drumming skills up to par. Playing the Jazz drum set is indeed very tough for those with poor psycho-motor skills – playing the bass pedal, the snare drum and the high hat at the same time was very very challenging for a newbie. And a week before the competition, Rob came down with Chicken Pox.
I remembered the anxiety while waiting at the backstage for our turn. We’re all so nervous and had turned into jelly.
Causing a Commotion
And so it’s our turn. The crowd suddenly went wild. The three guys in front of the stage didn’t know what the hell happened. It wasn’t part of the script but I stood up from my stool and did a strip tease. I slowly took off my denim jacket and tossed it aside (that’s all – but it’s enough to tease the crowd back then).
We performed the piece “Urban Child” composed by Leonard with lyrics co-written by Rob.
It’s been more than 14 years since that performance but I still remember it vividly in my memory.
So what has happened to us since we left school?
Leonard is now a high flyer with the Economic Development Board.
KB is now a hero with the SCDF.
Rob has carved a niche for himself in the media and entertainment industry. The last I know, he was working for Channel V after crossing over from MTV and also had his own events management company that brought in celebrities for concerts and gigs.
As for myself? Heh. That’s still CLASSIFIED and privileged info for a few ;-)
