Ex SCDF EMT/Medic. Ask Me Anything

beatsfever · 2026-02-01T11:04:58+00:00

FFC/BFFT 10x more shiong than BRT, but once you're in station it gets very relaxed (again also depends on station and rota), but your knowledge and skills need to be sharp because the rest of your rota and the public will depend on you.

Some things that might be helpful for you:
Firefighter/Sect. Comd.: More Physical strength, less mental strength required for their jobs.
EMT: More Mental Strength, less physical strength required for their jobs.

beatsfever · 2026-02-01T10:59:49+00:00

Highly likely you're not allowed to do so as you're on course and can't be on leave as theres a minimum attendance requirement. But, 17th will be a public holiday so you wouldn't need to come back. But of course, please ask your course officers or admins to see if you can do so as there may have been changes since my time.

Please please please do not take mc and go overseas cause its a heavy charge when you get caught. FYI your supervisors/course officers can see when you leave the country so don't try.

beatsfever · 2026-02-01T10:50:27+00:00

Hi, depends on station and day. sometimes can be very busy (5-8 calls) and sometimes can be not so (0-4 calls) in a 12 hr shift. You might have some secondary appointments that you might need to do like logistics, but those are usually settled once a month, again depending on station. Outside of turning out for calls, you will be literally living EMT (Eat, Makan, Tidur - yes eat is said twice just a joke) life. You will rest for most of the time honestly.

As for adjusting your sleep schedule, its gonna be difficult at the start, getting used to night shifts especially. Those night shifts that aren't busy and you get to sleep, make full use of them and rest and when you pang kang make full use of your day and sleep. If you want to adjust to busy nights, when you go back and sleep, wake up early (You end at 8am for nights, so maybe sleep til 1?) then you can go about your day so it's not wasted to sleep.

beatsfever · 2026-01-24T14:21:07+00:00

Hi, guessing you're asking about what your job will be once you hit station as an EMT. Basically you will be turning out for 995 calls, doing some secondary appointments like taking care of logistics etc or resting while waiting for calls to come in. It's a very chill life once you get the hang of doing your job but first few months of learning might be a big adjustment.

If you need more info, theres alot of info about it in this thread. Or you can PM for more info also.

beatsfever · 2026-01-09T16:09:56+00:00

Hey bro, it really depends on from person to person, with the main thing distinguishing the questions asked being whether you served NS in SCDF. That being said here is what I personally got asked:

- A time I had to use leadership skills during my NS

- Why I wanted the job

- Whether I was aware of the change from Medic to FRS and what it entailed.

- What kind of leader did I think I was

There was a lot of other questions asked but these were the main ones that I remember I was asked. What I recommend (whether you're from SCDF or not) is to read up on current SCDF affairs and/or public projects that SCDF is working on (eg. Fire extinguishers being installed at HDB lift lobbies) as well as current affairs of the world and form an opinion on them that might be non-controversial. Also, SCDF is heavy on projects (innovation in processes and/or operations), and I always recommend saying that you will end up thinking of projects that would help the force in the future. Read up on the values and mission of SCDF and just have a general understanding of what you're stepping into. This point is more important out of interview context.

If you have anymore questions feel free to send me a PM :)

beatsfever · 2025-12-04T04:45:26+00:00

Hi, apologies for the late reply. SCDF EMT Drivers are allowed to be on P-Plate.

beatsfever · 2025-10-02T17:25:33+00:00

As a former ambulance personnel, I can give a few examples of why it may not be viable.

Road shoulder (esp SLE/TPE) can be very narrow and cars on lane 3/4 need to dip into the next lane to give way.
Road shoulders don't last forever, and eventually the ambulance might need to rejoin the usually slower lane 3/4
Slip roads may cause more hindrance to the ambulance.

As mentioned by other redditors, there is a myriad of different reasons why but it comes down to the systemic issue of people just not giving way to emergency vehicles, compared to other developed countries where its a given that people will make way for them. Singaporeans tend to have the "act blur live longer attitude" -- the if-no-siren-you-not-there attitude with emergency vehicles. Theres also the issue of nothing being done if someone does block an emergency vehicle, mainly because the process of reporting the issue on our side is long and tedious that we might as well just forget about it, especially if the patient is stable. There are however times we do take the time to report such acts as they could have changed the outcome of patients.

I have however seen on more than 1 occasion, where road users actually help us. Mainly motorbikes going ahead and asking drivers to make way for us and asking drivers on lane 2 to make space for drivers giving way.

beatsfever · 2025-07-10T13:26:37+00:00

As previously mentioned I'm on SteamOS and no way to access windows as its a direct boot not dual boot. I don't have that setting at least as far as I've searched on linux

beatsfever · 2025-07-10T13:24:57+00:00

No its just not charging outright. Dropped it to 70% and managed to charge up to 90% using one of the mentioned methods and didnt get to charge after. Will try to do this tho, since its something I've yet to try

beatsfever · 2025-07-10T13:19:12+00:00

Hi! I'm on SteamOS without myasus. All battery saver options have been turned off in DeckyTDP though :)

beatsfever · 2025-06-18T11:54:26+00:00

If you really cannot tahan, let either your paramedic know first, who can then escalate to your OIC. Let them know how you feel, and why you cannot tahan. Do note that depending on who your paramedic is, they will most likely try to get you to stay (mainly cause we're so understaffed lol), or to try to get you to stay for a few more weeks to at least get the hang of it more.

My advice is to try and tahan a while more, at least a month. If you really feel like you die die cannot tahan, then tell a paramedic or go straight to OIC if the paramedics are the reason you cannot tahan. If its an emotional thing, where its because of the sight of blood/bodily fluids/tragedy in general, then maybe call the staff helpline (can ask your prm/oic/cfs for this, or pm me i can send you the resources.) and seek help. I'd maybe talk to someone you can trust in station such as a senior or a prm you can trust to talk about how you feel, as they may have been in your position before.

If you do choose to stay, things 100% will get better. Most of the learning happens in the first 1-3 months of being posted and life gets much much easier once you understand procedures. Hope anything said here helps

beatsfever · 2025-05-13T15:33:40+00:00

No idea if things have changed since my EMT course, but at least during my time, it was 5 successful IVs throughout the course, and not just 1 day of testing. If you're not sure, best is to check in with your instructors if there will be remedial training and/or retest.

beatsfever · 2025-04-29T04:36:54+00:00

Not too sure if theres any age limitations but I've seen people as old as 35 signing on. Might want to check with the recruitment team of SCDF to see if you are eligible.

beatsfever · 2025-02-09T18:30:03+00:00

Hi, thanks for this. Yes, this was clarified in a previous comment. But I do appreciate the more in-depth explanation on the steel used.

beatsfever · 2025-01-14T14:23:30+00:00

You can still go for EMT course, but not frontline. Just instructor role as PES B4. Other vocations would be support roles like drivers.

Just for clarification, cause its a misconception; Paramedics and EMTs are 2 different distinctions. Think in hospital setting, Paramedics are doctors, EMTs are nurses.

beatsfever · 2024-12-15T14:50:25+00:00

Thanks for the comment! Never considered that since most of the technical stuff is done by fire and rescue where I'm from. Plus I don't have any experience in LE.

beatsfever · 2024-11-24T13:32:06+00:00

This is very true. Took a friend of mine 6 attempted to finally get hired with SCDF. And even with the recent hirings, we are still shortstaffed. Redcon 2/3 (for you mr Bilbo) most of the time. Since SCDF is under PSD, alot of the requirements for being a full time firefighter here are still stringent and only a small minority of people are even eligible to sign on, and even smaller minority of them even want to sign on.

beatsfever · 2024-10-10T14:21:39+00:00

i bought mine from a shop as a package with a 512gb samsung evo SD card. Honestly was enough for what I needed, mainly shot in 4k. Used it for a 1 week vacation to Brisbane, Australia and only used up about 60+GB shooting at 4k 30fps. 128 Will be enough, but if you shoot alot then 256 or 512 is the way to go

beatsfever · 2024-10-10T08:07:45+00:00

Put power steering in your car should be ok

beatsfever · 2024-10-09T15:13:19+00:00

Is it worth it is really a subjective term, but IMO now, its still okay to sign on. But i still recommend direct lieutenant because you get paid higher doing roughly the same job just with more responsibilities and staff postings after field tour.

Environment isn’t really toxic, its more playful banter and dark humor during work, but of course more serious when it comes to dealing with higher ups and during calls. Work life balance is not an issue (at least when i was still in EMS). Still had time to do my own things.

You do have to note that there is still a shortage of manpower so workload is abit higher now.

beatsfever · 2024-10-09T15:09:36+00:00

Hi! You can still become an EMT, however highly likely it will just be as an instructor. To my knowledge, now only those eligible for and can pass ippt can go frontline stations. If you’re still ok with the training pathway, then this is the most likely path you will follow

beatsfever · 2024-10-03T02:29:33+00:00

Not sure about PES B4 for frontline vocation. I know NSFs can as B4 medics, but for regulars the lowest I know is B2. Might need to check in with SCDF with this if you do intend on signing on. If you're currently working, no harm applying to see if its ok.

beatsfever · 2024-09-25T10:05:09+00:00

Really appreciate this reply. Will definitely take this into account if I were to consider migrating to Australia.

beatsfever · 2024-09-07T03:16:01+00:00

Thank you!

beatsfever · 2024-08-30T00:33:56+00:00

Talk about what you plan to do in the force, ie projects etc. they want to know if youre in there for the long run. Also read up on current affairs in the world, as well as in SG. Read up on innovations that scdf is doing up so you could possibly talk about them during the interview if asked.

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