Love at the Life Saving Force

PHOTO: Amber Qua. GRAPHICS: Tang Ying Hui

Home Team News met up with WO1 Sim Yong Kiong, Fire and Rescue Specialist and Emergency Medical Technician (FRS-EMT) Section Commander at Central Fire Station, and SGT3 Andrea Ang, Paramedic at Tampines Fire Station. During the chat, the banter between the couple was light-hearted as they shared their journey as a couple in the Life Saving Force.

Sparks of Love at Central Fire Station

Yong Kiong (right) met Andrea when he was an EMT at Central Fire Station. PHOTO: Tang Ying Hui

Love came knocking unexpectedly on Yong Kiong’s door in 2019. “It felt like a starstruck moment,” he recalled the first time he saw Andrea at Central Fire Station. Yong Kiong was an EMT at the fire station, while Andrea had just reported to the station for her first day as a paramedic trainee. 

“It’s quite fated that I happened to enter the station when he was on duty. We rarely worked on the same shift together,” said Andrea. He made the first move, starting with small talk whenever he saw her. Despite being on different shifts, they managed to meet each other at the fire station and grew closer over time. 

Yong Kiong (right) chatted with Andrea whenever he saw her. PHOTO: Tang Ying Hui

After getting together, Yong Kiong accompanied Andrea on her bus rides home after work. They would alight at her bus stop and spend more time together before she headed home. 

It did not take long before Andrea’s mum noticed that she was dating. “I was smiling a lot while I was on my phone. My mum then asked if I was dating anybody,” laughed Andrea. 

Weathering Through Challenges

Balancing their relationship with their careers isn't always easy. As they are on different shifts, they may not see each other often, sometimes for up to 48 hours. Therefore, they have to find ways to support each other and stay connected. 

Their mutual support takes many forms. For instance, when one of them is on duty, the other often ensures their partner is well-fed by bringing food. They also make it a point to video call at least once a day, especially during breaks.

The couple video calls each other during breaks. PHOTOS: Amber Qua, Tang Ying Hui

Now married for more than a year, they count on each other’s support to overcome tough times together. “When we return home after work, a simple embrace provides much-needed comfort, more so as we understand the challenges in each other’s line of work,” said Andrea.

Amidst their professional duties, they've learnt to prioritise quality time together to nurture their relationship. 

The couple finds that their shared profession deepens their bond. "Because we are both working in the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), we understand the dynamics and challenges of frontline emergency response," Yong Kiong noted. 

With the desire to see each other do well in SCDF, they motivate one another to step out of their comfort zone. Yong Kiong was initially apprehensive about pursuing further studies, as his last full-time studies was several years ago at the polytechnic. With Andrea’s strong support, Yong Kiong decided to further his studies. “If I was not with her, I might not have gone for it,” Yong Kiong said.

Partners in Life and Duty

Andrea (left) and Yong Kiong attending to a patient. PHOTO: Tang Ying Hui

Their dedication to saving lives is inspiring. Outside of work, both Yong Kiong and Andrea attend to emergency cases alerted through the myResponder app. Whenever they receive an alert on the app, they will head to the location, no matter what time of the day it is.

They have attended to minor fires and suspected cardiac arrest cases. After the incident, they would reflect on what could have been done better when responding to future alerts. Yong Kiong cited an example, “We realised it does not make sense for both of us to retrieve the AED together.” They decided that Andrea will assess the patient and perform CPR, while Yong Kiong will retrieve the nearest AED. With their roles all worked out, they respond to the alerts with unspoken understanding of each other’s roles. “It’s like second nature to us, because we are so used to attending to myResponder alerts together,” said Andrea.

They once even attended to a road traffic accident while on their way to Johor Bahru. “Thankfully, we had a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher in the car. We recently joined the AED-on-Wheels programme, so we have an AED as well,” shared Yong Kiong.

With similar interests and passion, Yong Kiong and Andrea volunteer as Paracounsellors and Career Ambassadors as well. “Sometimes, both a firefighter and a paramedic are needed at SCDF’s booth at a career fair,” Andrea explained. “The coordinator just needs to check with one of us to see if we are both available. It’s all settled in one shot,” Yong Kiong chuckled.

These secondary appointments are another way for them to spend time together. Yong Kiong reflects, "On our off days, we will attend these workshops and training together, doing something for SCDF together."

The couple as Career Ambassadors (left) and award recipients at the MHA Scholarship and Sponsorship Ceremony 2024. PHOTOS: Andrea Ang and Sim Yong Kiong

Home (Team) is Where Love Resides

Serving in SCDF together isn’t just a job; it is a shared mission that brings immense pride to them. “I feel very proud that both of us are serving in SCDF,” Yong Kiong said. One of the proudest moments they had together was attending the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Scholarship and Sponsorship ceremony as award recipients. Yong Kiong was awarded the Book Prize for the best dissertation paper for his graduation, while Andrea was awarded a scholarship, creating what Andrea calls "a full circle moment". It was a rare occasion, standing side-by-side as awardees, with their family in the audience. "You feel like, wow, you've come so far," Andrea reflects.

Andrea is currently pursuing a Bachelor degree in Public Safety and Security at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, under the MHA full time degree scholarship, while Yong Kiong has completed his studies and is now fully focused on his work. 

The couple side by side, in life and duty. PHOTO: Tang Ying Hui

With so much of their energy committed to saving lives, how do they balance their time for volunteering, operational duties and myResponder commitments? “We look forward to career fairs together, volunteering as career advocates. We are excited about it,” Yong Kiong shares. “It’s just a part of our lives and a part of who we are. It is something we are interested in that we hold close to our hearts,” Andrea added. “We want to be better and contribute to SCDF in any capacity we can,” Yong Kiong said.