Myanmar earthquake: Resilience of community inspiring, say members of SCDF’s Operation Lionheart

Key Concepts:

• Operation Lionheart: Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) disaster relief mission.
• Resilience: The ability of the Myanmar community to recover from the earthquake.
• National Servicemen: Involvement of national servicemen in the Operation Lionheart contingent.
• Mockup Disaster Site: Training facility for SCDF officers to simulate disaster scenarios.
• Extrication: The process of rescuing individuals trapped in rubble.

Deployment and Rescue Efforts

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) deployed an 80-person Operation Lionheart team to Myanmar following an earthquake. The team arrived a day after the disaster, which occurred on March 28th. A key achievement highlighted was the rescue of one individual after 8 hours and 30 minutes of work by 30 rescuers working in two shifts. The rescue was described as "very fulfilling," and the rescuers were moved by the gratitude of the local community, noting that "after a while, we saw some locals who were also in tears."

Scope of Operation

Over 11 days, the SCDF team searched 26 sites and treated 135 patients.

Resilience of the Myanmar Community

A significant takeaway for the SCDF team was the resilience of the Myanmar people. One member stated, "I think the term resilience is a thing that I really learned a lot. It's very eye-opening to see the MyMar people who who have a very good resilience you know and are still hopeful that one day and I'm also hopeful that they can go back to their normal lives as soon as possible." The team was inspired by the community's ability to maintain hope and help one another despite the adverse conditions.

Involvement of National Servicemen

This mission involved 13 national servicemen, the largest number in an Operation Lionheart contingent. Their participation and willingness to help were described as "inspirational." The team observed that "even in such adverse conditions, they were willing to help one another and you know uh even show the effort to be grateful to whoever who was there to help them."

Training and Preparation

The SCDF officers undergo rigorous training at a mockup disaster site. This training involves practicing techniques such as drilling through rubble and navigating tight spaces, sometimes for extended periods. Officers must navigate these areas while carrying heavy equipment, such as drills weighing over 10 kg. The training simulates real-world conditions to prepare them for the challenges of disaster relief.

Operation Lionheart History

The Myanmar earthquake response was Operation Lionheart's 21st mission since its formation in 1990. The team was also deployed to Turkey following an earthquake in February 2023.

Conclusion

The SCDF's Operation Lionheart deployment to Myanmar demonstrated the team's commitment to disaster relief and highlighted the resilience of the affected community. The mission involved a significant number of national servicemen and underscored the importance of rigorous training in preparing for such events. The experience left a lasting impression on the SCDF team, reinforcing the value of community support and the human spirit in the face of adversity.