{"id":47376,"date":"2025-09-18T13:53:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T05:53:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hometeamns.sg\/frontline\/?p=47376"},"modified":"2025-09-18T13:54:45","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T05:54:45","slug":"behind-the-parade-the-nsf-who-went-from-spectator-to-a-stoic-guardian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hometeamns.sg\/frontline\/behind-the-parade-the-nsf-who-went-from-spectator-to-a-stoic-guardian\/","title":{"rendered":"Behind the Parade: The NSF who went from spectator to a stoic guardian"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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As part of SCDF\u2019s contingency standby crew during the National Day Parade 2025, Fire and Rescue Specialist SGT1 (NS) Mervyn Koh reflects on service, duty and pride.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Before entering National Service (NS), SGT1 (NS) Mervyn Koh was, like many Singaporeans, an enthusiastic viewer of the National Day Parade. Every year, he would watch the celebration unfold on TV with his family, a tradition that never failed to captivate him. \u201cIt always gave me goosebumps. The music, fireworks and performances always stirred something in me,\u201d he muses.<\/p>

That childhood fascination eventually took on a deeper meaning when the 25-year-old enlisted in the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and found himself contributing to the very event that had once inspired him.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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DUTY, DRILLS AND RESCUES<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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His posting to Central Fire Station marked the start of a meaningful chapter, where every shift presents opportunities to learn and foster a close-knit bond with his team. As a Fire and Rescue Specialist, Mervyn responds to fires, rescues and medical emergencies.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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As dawn breaks, the rota forms up for the flag-raising and scenario drill before completing their duty. <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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To stay grounded, Mervyn leans on his training and his teammates\u2019 support. \u201cWe look out for each other and review each incident to reflect and improve,\u201d he shares. \u201cOver time, I\u2019ve not only built my physical strength, but also my mental resilience.\u201d<\/p>

Nominated by his unit for an award that recognised his outstanding performance, Mervyn credits his success to teamwork. \u201cWe cannot work alone. Strong teamwork and coordination are essential in protecting and saving lives and property,\u201d he says.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Mervyn (back row, fourth from left) and his colleagues from Central Fire Station are proud of what they do every duty.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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One particular incident remains etched in his mind. \u00a0During a fire at a residential unit, Mervyn and his team rescued a woman and her daughter from the affected flat. After being brought to safety, the woman repeatedly thanked the team despite being visibly shaken.<\/p>

\u201cThat small act made me realise how important our work is,\u201d reflects Mervyn. \u201cThere\u2019s a sense of fulfilment when we step in during someone\u2019s most vulnerable moment and help them through it.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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A PARADE SEEN FROM THE OTHER SIDE <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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As part of his operational duties, Mervyn had the opportunity to be part of SCDF\u2019s contingency standby for the National Day Parade 2024. He felt deeply honoured to be involved in the celebration. \u201cIt was an opportunity to represent SCDF and showcase the discipline, dedication and unity that we embody,\u201d he adds.<\/p>

He and his team were ready to respond to chemical, biological, radiological and explosive (CBRE) threats during the rehearsals and parade. This required coordination and meticulous planning, from preparing every equipment to ensuring the team was ready for deployment at all times. \u201cEvery move had to be seamless and compliant with parade regulations,\u201d says Mervyn. \u201cThere was no room for error.\u201d<\/p>

He recalls one particular moment from the rehearsals, just before the fireworks. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, looking at the sky and anticipating the fireworks, while Mervyn and his team stood ready with their radios on, fully alert. \u201cKnowing that we were entrusted to safeguard everyone\u2019s safety while they enjoyed the celebration filled us with a profound sense of purpose,\u201d he says. \u201cWe had complete confidence in one another and our training. I will always remember that feeling of unity and professionalism as we remained vigilant.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Mervyn (photo on right, second from left) with his team during Exercise BOCA, where they donned Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC) suits to carry out simulated rescue operations around the Padang ahead of NDP.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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This year, he returned to the parade once more as part of the SCDF contingency standby crew. Alongside other Home Team agencies and the Singapore Armed Forces, Mervyn and his colleagues remained vigilant and ready to respond to emergencies throughout the event.<\/p>

This experience, especially during SG60, deepened his understanding of the SCDF\u2019s mission to protect and save lives and property for a safe and secure Singapore. \u201cEven though we are working behind the scenes, it is meaningful to ensure everyone can enjoy the parade with a peace of mind,\u201d he added. \u201cIt also reaffirms our duty to safeguard these moments that unite us as a nation.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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REFLECTIONS AND A NEW CHAPTER AHEAD<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Reflecting on the SG60 milestone, Mervyn says the experience has deepened his sense of purpose in SCDF. \u201cParticipating in such a momentous national celebration as an SCDF officer reminded me that our work is woven into Singapore’s story, by protecting citizens, serving with pride and care, and strengthening our resilience,\u201d he says. This year\u2019s parade also marked a significant moment for SCDF, with its first Guard-of-Honour contingent in the NDP, recognising its contributions towards keeping Singapore safe.<\/p>

Having completed his National Service in August, Mervyn is now preparing to enter university and bringing with him the values instilled during his NS. \u201cDiscipline, resilience and teamwork are values I\u2019ll carry with me,\u201d he says. \u201cWhile I\u2019ll miss the camaraderie and sense of purpose in the SCDF, I\u2019m excited to apply what I\u2019ve learnt to challenges ahead.\u201d<\/p>

His wish for Singapore\u2019s future reflects the mindset he has cultivated through NS. \u201cI hope that we remain caring, strong and unified regardless of the challenges that come our way. I hope we continue to appreciate the people who serve in all forms, not just in uniform, but in healthcare and other essential roles too.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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As part of SCDF\u2019s contingency standby crew during the National Day Parade 2025, Fire and Rescue Specialist SGT1 (NS) Mervyn Koh reflects on service, duty and pride.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":47379,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[418],"class_list":["post-47376","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-close-up"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBehind the Parade: The NSF who went from spectator to a stoic guardian - Frontline<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"As part of SCDF\u2019s contingency standby crew during the National Day Parade 2025, Fire and Rescue Specialist SGT1 (NS) Mervyn Koh reflects on service, 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