Editor's Note - Dharma Resources - Kong Meng San Phor Kark See ...

Emergency Preparedness Training
for PKS Volunteers and Staff
BY | Esther Thien
Singapore — What if a fire was
spreading rapidly in the midst of a
large-scale prayer session conducted
in the monastery Would you know
what to do Would you know how
to disperse the crowd and mete out
emergency first aid to those who
need it
Buddhist News in Brief
awaken
To handle such possible emergencies,
close to 90 volunteers and staff
of Kong Meng San Phor Kark See
Monastery attended the Emergency
Preparedness courses held by the
Singapore Civil Defence on 13
and 21 of September last year. The
participants spent about three and
half hours in a relaxed environment
completing three modules, namely first aid, oneman
CPR, fire safety and casualty evacuation.
In the course, the volunteers and staff learned first
aid procedures such as the bandaging of different
wounds, the use of various first aid equipment, and
how to handle burns and scalds. During the oneman
CPR module, the personnel of the Singapore
Civil Defence Force even prepared four dummies
for the participants to practise on besides giving a
detailed account of the steps involved. In addition,
the basic method to extinguish fires, how to use
the different types of fire extinguishers, as well as
evacuating casualties using stretchers were taught
as well.
Possessing the emergency know-how, it was time
to use the knowledge. The monastery held the
Thomson Emergency Preparedness (EP) Day last
October for the first time, in conjunction with
Thomson Grassroots Organisations (GROs) and
Thomson Inter-Racial Confidence Circle. Themed
“A Multi-Racial, Multi-Religious Approach”, the
highlight of the event was the EP scenario exercise
where a fire was triggered off in the monastery. In
a flash, 40 volunteers together with the Thomson
Emergency Preparedness Team came to the rescue.
Some contacted the police, others evacuated the
public to safety, and yet others helped to bandage the
wounds of the “injured”. The Police and Singapore
Civil Defence team soon arrived at the scene and
swiftly doused the fire with advanced equipment,
completing the exercise successfully!
Brother Lim Ah Tiam who was responsible for leading
the other volunteers in the exercise said, “I’m very
pleased with the performance of the volunteers. I
feel this is a very meaningful activity as it allows us
to be prepared in handling emergencies, and guards
against the chaos of an emergency.” To prepare
for this exercise, the volunteers had carried out a
two-hour rehearsal jointly with the Singapore Civil
Defence Force and the Police three days before.
In all, 3,500 residents attended the Thomson EP
day. Besides witnessing the EP scenario exercise,
members of the public were treated to interracial
skits and performances and an interactive
exhibition. These activities reinforced their
emergency preparedness knowledge and fostered
greater inter-racial and religious harmony. The
monastery also set up numerous food and game
stalls to satiate those looking for some good, clean
fun and appetising food.
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