Farewell MyQueenstown

Farewell MyQueenstown #7 - Farewell KTM Tracks

On 30 Jun 2011 | 6 Comments

Much has been written about KTM Tracks lately. A simple search on Google and Yahoo will bring you to numerous websites such as this and this. After all, this cantankerous relic was Singapore's brave new world in the early 20th century.  I have always been a believer of my secondary school's motto, "Rooted in Tradition, Equipped for the Future."

永别了!女皇镇!#7 一摊油条传三代

On 30 Apr 2011 | 1 Comments

一摊油条传三代 在玛格列熟食中心,“生活公市”说得上是个客至如云的摊子。这个小摊子,不售卖任何煮炒;摊子主人则一年三百六十五天,天天在摊内起个炉炸上一条条的油条。 “生活公市”摊主李马才先生(58岁)是这家油条摊的第三代。 祖父自中国南来便炸油条为业,后来其父亦继承了祖父的业务。“生活公市”自1969年起,正式迁入玛格列熟食中心营业。李先生从小便跟随父亲学手艺,在油锅边打转。 李先生的油条,以香脆爽口闻名。在80年代初,李先生每一日几乎可炸近200条油条。李家一家五人总要齐齐上阵来应付顾客的需要。 如今,虽然李先生的摊子已搬迁到亚历山大村熟食中心,但他对玛格列熟食中心仍然十分怀念。再见了,玛格列熟食中心!

Farewell MyQueenstown #6 - The Taste of Wanton Noodle Lingers...

On 24 Mar 2011 | 18 Comments

Mr. Phoon Hon Sun, 64, and his family started selling barbeque pork from a pushcart at the terminal for Hock Lee bus service no.9 some 53 years ago. The bus terminal was located next to Blocks 6B and 7 along Margaret Close, a cluster of flats which were demolished during the 1990s. A familiar sight no more Every afternoon, residents who lived in the seven

Home Sweet Home @ MyQueenstown

Home Sweet Home #15 - A New Day Has Come =)

On 24 Apr 2011 | 11 Comments

Last week, MyQueenstown team interviewed Mdm Chan about her life in Blk 15 Holland Drive. Under SERS, she was assigned a new apartment in the newly developed blocks just a stone throw sway. Today, we visit Hisham Suni, 38, who moved over from Blk 17 to his new apartment in Blk 18C Holland Drive. Hisham Suni and his son =) Hisham is delighted by his new ap

Home Sweet Home #14 - Farewell Holland Drive

On 17 Apr 2011 | 3 Comments

Blk 15, Holland Drive looked vacant and cold when MyQueenstown team visited this morning. The shop houses under the apartment block were all covered with card boards and all that was left were traces of glass panels, which could possibly be a beauty parlor in its place before. The lift was still working. Mdm Chan - a long time resident at Holland Drive A c

Home Sweet Home #13 - Commonwealth 10! Here I Come!

On 10 Apr 2011 | 3 Comments

The front door was wide open when MyQueenstown team visited Mr Lee, 78, at his apartment in Blk 74 Commonwealth Drive. Feeling curious, we knocked onto the door and was greeted by a sleepy looking Mr Lee. Mr Lee who lives alone at Block 74 Retired more than a decade ago, Mr Lee is living alone as he prefers being independent to tagging along with his chi

News@MyQueenstown

Response to Straits Times Forum: "Active Citizenry Needs Space to Find Its Feet"

On 26 Aug 2011 | 25 Comments

A week ago, Mr. Eric Tan, Director of the National Archives of Singapore, explained that the archives have generously acceded to our requests for photographs to be published in our website, upcoming book and newsletter. This was not the full story. Last year, we wrote in to the National Archives of Singapore, requesting them to sponsor photographs of the ol

MyQueenstown Celebrates: Consecration Ceremony at Sri Muneeswaran Temple!

On 10 Jul 2011 | 1 Comments

Tanglin Halt residents are wokened up by the vociferous wailing of nadaswaram and thavil ensemble at Sri Muneeswaran Temple this morning. More than 15,000 residents and devotees have gathered at the Southeast Asia's largest Hindu temple worshiping the Muneeswaran god to witness the consecration ceremony. A consecration ceremony is a festive occasion done on

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十五期

On 08 Jul 2011 | 6 Comments

女皇弄组屋 同一垃圾糟 两年3纵火  女皇弄组屋走廊垃圾糟,三度起火,居民人心惶惶,警列恶作剧纵火处理。 位于女皇镇一带的女皇弄第21座组屋8楼的电梯口,今早7时15分左右发生大火。 一名住在事发地点附近的居民,惊见滚滚黑烟从该处冒出 最高74万5000元 最低40多万 女皇镇 四房转售价 相差近37万  在热门组屋区女皇镇里,有四房式组屋最近以74万5000元的最高价转售,但也有37万8000元。 组屋溢价回升之际,热门地点如女皇镇的组屋转售价也持续攀升。今年4月,一间位于女皇镇史达拉摩道(Strathmore Ave)的四房式高楼单位,以74万5000元售出。 最后一次乘搭火车北上  火车开动了!该各就各位了吧。经过女皇镇、武吉知马、武吉班让时看到铁路旁站着许

My Father and I

Former Tanglin Halt Industrial Estate

On 14 May 2011 | 2 Comments

The industrialisation programme took off in Queenstown when the Tanglin Halt Industrial Estate was established to generate employment in the neighbourhood. Initially, the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) planned a small industrial estate at Tanglin Halt to provide employment for the new residents. Measuring some 20 acres of land consisting of 38 factories

Queenstown Baptist Church

On 03 May 2011 | 1 Comments

The Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) set aside seven sites for religious use and advertised for religious organisations to ballot in the 1950s. Of the ten enquiries received, four withdrew, leaving six Christian organisations. These went on to build the first churches of Queenstown; Queenstown Baptist Church, Queenstown Lutheran Church, Faith Methodist Ch

Archipelago Brewery Company (Anchorpoint)

On 22 Apr 2011 | 3 Comments

Established in 1931 by German businessmen, Archipelago Brewery Company was the first commercial brewery in Singapore. It was located next to the Malayan Railway, which provided convenient transportation for exporting the beer in Tanjong Pagar. Archipelago Brewery Company One of the more popular beer produced at Archipelago Brewery Company was Anchor Beer.

Makan Shiok!

Snacks Attack #13 - Ah Luck Bean Curd

On 23 Dec 2010 | 2 Comments

Mr Chua, 25, runs Ah Luck Beancurd in Tanglin Halt market for more than 2 years. He is renting the stall from the original owner who has based his stall in the same area for more than 40 years. Ah Luck Bean Curd offers drinks and deserts such as soya bean drink, grass jelly and the residents' favorite soya bean curd (60 cents). A Delicious Bowl of Bean Curd

Snacks Attack #12 - Satay Mad in Tanglin Halt!

On 16 Dec 2010 | 7 Comments

 Ann, 46 runs the family food stall for over 10 years in Tanglin Halt hawker centre. Serving halal food for over a decade in the same place, Ann has integrated her dishes to suit the taste buds of Queenstown residents, especially the Malay community. The simple food stall offers snacks such as satay, otah and seafood dishes. As a family styled bus

Snacks Attack #11 - Almond & Peanut Paste!

On 09 Dec 2010 | 0 Comments

DessertStory, located in Anchorpoint basement one, has been serving residents tasty snacks and deserts for the past four years. Wendy, the supervisor of the cafe, introduced the various homemade desserts that they offer. A bowl of Almond Paste Hot desserts are mainly the favourite choice among Queenstown residents. Firstly, they have almond paste which is m

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #9 - 7 Funerals in 2 weeks

On 22 May 2011 | 0 Comments

7 funerals in 2 weeks. There is a flurry of "activity" these two weeks for correspondents from My Queenstown. We did not leave our traces in photographs as a mark of respect for the deceased. We did leave our sincere prayers and heartfelt condolences for those present. Quietly and fleetingly, we made our way to some of the funerals and understood that all o

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #8 - Block 39A No More (The Removal of Block 39A Part I)

On 05 Apr 2011 | 8 Comments

On a Friday afternoon three weeks ago, several Bangladeshi workers, presumably from the Town Council, took their tool boxes to the lift lobby of Block 39A. In less than half an hour, they carried a metallic frame on their shoulders and placed it on a lorry parked in front of the apartment block. Farewell Block 39A The letterboxes The stretch of corrid

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #7 - A New Coat of Paint

On 22 Mar 2011 | 1 Comments

The Point Blocks, along with 5 other blocks at Mei Ling Street were given a new coat of paint over the past week. The familiar combination of blue, yellow and orange was a thing of the past as these foreign workers toiled day and night, rain or shine to make Mei Ling Street "attractive again." White seems to be the "in" thing in Queenstown lately. Ten-store

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XXX Restricted Access @ MyQueenstown #4 - Alexandra Fire Station (Part I)

By my queenstown on Sunday, October 17, 2010 with 6 comments


Fire-fighting in Queenstown dates back to 1939. The colonial Auxiliary Fire Brigade had 15 officers and 60 firemen stationed at the Archipelago Brewery Company to protect British's economic and military interests and played vital roles in putting out fires in the nearby kampung villages in Alexandra Village and Mei Ling. Opened in February 1954, Alexandra Fire Station was the 3rd station in Singapore and it served an increasing population in Singapore's first satellite estate, Queenstown. Today, MyQueenstown Team will uncover the fire station's history, operations and other community activities in Restricted Access@MyQueenstown.

Alexandra Fire Station in the 1960s

Fires were common in pre-industrialised Singapore. Kampungs and villages were made from rattan and attap and they ensured that fires could engulf the entire village within seconds, with blessings from gales and breezes. One memorable fire that blazed across the night sky occurred in the squatter settlements at Bukit Ho Swee in 25 May 1961. Firefighters from Alexandra and Central Fire Station rushed to the site of fire and rescued numerous villagers from the jaws of the great fire. 2,200 attap houses were destroyed and 16,000 were made homeless. These homeless villagers were transported by military trucks to be resettled in newly built HDB estates, one of them Queenstown.

Bukit Ho Swee Residents took the trucks to Queenstown

Situated near the famous junction of Queensway and Alexandra Road, known as Rumah Bomba Circus (Malay for Fire Brigade House), Alexandra Fire Station was considered as the “busiest fire brigade house” for its extensive range of activities outside the station in the 1960s and 70s. Itinerant hawkers peddling wares were common and the area was well known for Malay street food such as satay, otak otak and mee rebus. The establishment of Queensway Shopping Centre also ensured a youthful vibrancy around the fire station which many residents had fondly memories of.


Alexandra Fire Station in the 1990s

Alexandra Fire Station in 1990s (Front View)

The relationship between the fire station, the police force and the Queenstown community inspired the construction of a complex to house both the Singapore Civil Defence Force and the Singapore Police Force under one roof. In 2002, the former site of Alexandra Fire Station at Queensway was demolished and shifted to a temporary premise at the former Police Reserve Unit at Tanglin Halt. In 2005, it returned to Queensway, where it was also the headquarters for the 1st Civil Defence Division.

Alexandra Fire Station in 2002 at Tanglin Halt 

 The modern fire station complex at Queensway
 
The heroics of fire fighters are duly exemplified in many popular films and dramas. Their courage and decisiveness in mounting rescue operations to search for trapped occupants in hazardous conditions have made Queenstown a safe home for our residents. 

Construction Accident at Fushionopolis

Alexandra Fire Station has a operational coverage which stretches from Farrer Road to the Southern Islands. Together with 5 other fire stations forming the 1st Civil Defence Division, they protect the Southern and Central region of Singapore from fires and respond to emergency ambulance calls to convey patients to the hospital. Furthermore, fire posts are erected in Bukit Merah, Telok Blangah and Sentosa within the Fire Station's coverage to enhance response time.

Operation Coverage of Alexandra Fire Station

The standard activation time for the fire station is 1 minute and its response time is 8 minutes. Besides having a comprehensive network of fire stations and fire posts, a clear and distinct command structure within in the SCDF is also crucial in rescue operations. The headquarters of SCDF command and control the various units through the divisions. Thereafter, these Civil Defence Divisions are responsible for their operations within their boundaries. Under the divisions are fire stations which provide immediate response to any incidents happening within their operational coverage.

 Major Ryan Ong (right) - Officer Commanding of the fire station

The commander of the Alexandra Fire Station takes charge of both the fire brigade unit and ambulance service. On one hand, the responsibilities of the fire brigade include fire fighting, conducting rescue and HAZMAT operations. On the other hand, the responsibilities of the ambulance unit incorporate rescue operations involving paramedics and provision of immediate medical attention and treatment. 

 Fire fighters at the fire station

There are 3 rotas (or shifts) in the fire station and approximately 30 fire fighters in each rota. Each rota consists of a rota commander whose main duties are to manage and plan all activities to ensure and attain an optimum level of operational readiness of the personnel under his charge to deal with all possible emergencies, be it fire, rescue or hazmat incidents. The chain of command is further passed on to section commanders and firemen. There are about 50 Full time National Servicemen (NSFs) in the fire station, serving the SCDF as part of their national service. They will discharge their duties as medics, firemen and section commanders. The rest of the fire fighting squads consist of regulars.

Equipment and appliances are kept neatly in cages

Strict discipline enforcement is fundamental to the Civil Defence forces in Singapore. The fitness of the fire fighters, their knowledge on handling  sophisticated appliances and teamwork are essential in rescue operations. Equipment drills, HAZMAT drills and CA drills are carried out daily to ensure that the personnel are operationally ready. Hydrant testing and maintenance of vehicles are also procedural routines for the fire fighters at Alexandra Fire Station. Physical training, in form of games and exercises, attempts to forge 'brotherly' bonds among the fire fighters.

Besides having a professional fire fighting force, modern equipment is used for rescue operations. Stay tune to Restricted Access@MyQueenstown next week for a glance on the operations and the equipment used in the fire station.
What are your memories of the fire station? Tell us in our facebook page now!

POST COMMENT

6 comments:

Anonymous said...
October 18, 2010 at 10:08 AM

Another good feature story of our nostalgia & younger days.

Keep it coming in ^-^

JimmyNg

Yusof said...
October 22, 2010 at 12:04 AM

Nice...

reminds me of the mid 80s. i used to play around in the station coumpond and living quaters .

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