20-5-2024 (SINGAPORE) Early Monday morning, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) honoured the late Captain Kenneth Tay Xue Qin with a poignant ceremonial last call, held indoors due to inclement weather.
The solemn event, attended by approximately 200 SCDF personnel, took place in the multi-purpose hall of the SCDF headquarters. The ceremony, known as a “last fire call,” involved the activation of fire call alarms across all 23 fire stations in Singapore, including the SCDF headquarters, division headquarters, and the Civil Defence Academy.
Captain Tay, aged 30, tragically lost his life in the early hours of May 16 while responding to a fire in the engine room of a China-flagged tanker anchored in Singapore’s waters. He fell unconscious during the operation and was subsequently pronounced dead at the hospital.
In a mark of respect, a minute of silence was observed following the last fire call, with officers from various units across the island participating in the tribute. SCDF Commissioner Eric Yap delivered a heartfelt speech at the headquarters, extending his deepest condolences to Captain Tay’s family, friends, and loved ones.
“Captain Kenneth’s selflessness, professionalism, and dedication will always be remembered,” said Commissioner Yap. “For those of us who knew him personally, his passion for his work was evident.” Commissioner Yap highlighted Captain Tay’s roles as a paracounsellor and a staunch advocate for his career, noting that these roles underscored his deep commitment to the mission of the life-saving force.
The ceremony concluded with the sounding of sirens from two Red Rhino vehicles, serving as a final call of respect for the fallen hero.
