LIM, Arthur Beng Lock
The Public Service,
Accession Number 001436
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 7
Total Reels
- Daniel Chew (Dr)
Interviewer
- 03:22:03
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 7
Metadata
- 7 Jan 1994
Recording Date
- 00:30:07
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:12) Schooling days at St Andrew’s School. Early jobs in auditing. Joined the General Clerical Service and in 1950 joined the Fire Brigade as a probationary sub-inspector.
(0:04:20) His upbringing. Grew up in Serangoon Road. Wanted to join the police force but did not.
(0:09:06) Influence of his parents on his career choice. Life during Japanese Occupation. Back to school after Japanese surrendered.
(0:15:15) Tough training with Fire Brigade. Was among the first local officers to be recruited after the war.
(0:22:22) Starts on-the-job training. On duty during the Maria Hertogh riot.
(0:25:38) Starting salary and benefits for new recruits those days. Life as a firefighter those days.
Studied at St Andrew's School. Joined General Clerical Service and in 1950 joined Fire Brigade as a probationary sub-inspector. Grew up in Serangoon Road. Onthe job training as fire officer. On duty during Maria Hertogh riot.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 7
Metadata
- 7 Jan 1994
Recording Date
- 00:31:10
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:05) Impressions of the British colonial officers.
(0:04:40) Facilities at the Central Fire Station. Fighting fires at Bukit Timah, Aik Hoe Rubber Factory, Bukit Ho Swee and Robertson Quay.
(0:10:43) Qualities of firemen. How they rise to the occasion. Losing his comrades.
(0:17:27) Daily routine of a fireman. The fear when fighting fire.
(0:23:50) Experience counts.
(0:27:10) Importance of Teamwork.
Impressions of British colonial officers. Facilities at Central Fire Station. Examples of fighting fires at Bukit Timah, Aik Hoe Rubber Factory, Bukit Ho Swee and Robertson Quay. Qualities of firemen. How they rise to the occasion. Experience counts.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 7
Metadata
- 7 Jan 1994
Recording Date
- 00:27:51
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:05) Chain of command and responsibility in fire brigade. Types of fire alarms.
(0:05:37) Communication via radios and telephone. Street fire alarm system.
(0:13:21) The effect of Malayanisation.
(0:17:31) Emergence of PAP. Response to pay cuts. Government seen as hostile to English-educated civil servants.
(0:21:44) Colonial officers posted to the Fire Brigade lacked experience.
(0:26:16) The effect on fire service when the city council was scrapped.
Street fire alarms and fighting of kampung fires. Response to pay cuts. Government seen as hostile to English-educated civil servants. Colonial officers posted to Fire Brigade lacked experience and were discards.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 7
Metadata
- 13 Jan 1994
Recording Date
- 00:28:56
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:05) The Bukit Ho Swee fire. His role in the control room.
(0:08:31) Role of the Fire Brigade in handling big fires. Building of the fire stations at Alexandra and Serangoon Road.
(0:12:19) Plans to build more fire stations. Relocation of stations.
(0:16:23) Robinsons fire broke out while he was in the UK. Upon return, interviewed his colleagues. Appeared at Robinsons fire inquiry hearing.
(0:20:07) Outcome of the inquiry. Recommendations by commission.
(0:26:57) Ministry of Finance more sympathetic to the Fire Brigade.
Bukit Ho Swee fire. Role of Fire Brigade. Building of fire stations at Alexandra and Serangoon Road. Plan for building of fire stations. Robinsons fire broke out while he was away in United Kingdom. Upon return, interviewed his colleagues. Appeared at Robinsons fire inquiry hearing; outcome of inquiry. Ministry of Finance more sympathetic to Fire Brigade.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 7
Metadata
- 13 Jan 1994
Recording Date
- 00:30:20
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:05) Robinsons fire proves the importance of the Fire Brigade. Fire officers sent for overseas training.
(0:04:56) With the rise of urban redevelopment, Fire Brigade unable to cope with building plans approvals.
(0:08:16) Took over as fire chief. Difficult to recruit firemen.
(0:13:04) Introduction of unified ambulance service in 1077. Setting up of Command, Control and Communications Centre.
(0:20:56) Handling false alarms. Quality of firemen over the years.
(0:28:05) National Service extended to fire brigade.
Fire officers sent for overseas training. With building boom and urban redevelopment in 1960s, Fire Brigade was unable to cope with building plans approvals for fire codes. Introduction of unified ambulance service in 1977. Setting up of Command, Control and Communications Centre to revamp communications network.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 7
Metadata
- 13 Jan 1994
Recording Date
- 00:27:54
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:06) Introduction of search and rescue team in 1975. High-rise unit formed. Difference with fighting fires in high-rise and low-rise buildings.
(0:05:28) Firefighting as a science. HDB buildings cannot follow same standards as for private buildings.
(0:11:47) The Spyros tanker explosion.
(0:13:48) The CPF Building in Shenton Way fire.
(0:18:06) The Thiam Joo chemical factory fire.
(0:20:18) The Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) godowns at Nelson Road fire.
(0:24:31) Joint training of officers from other countries.
How highrise building fires are fought. Difference with fighting fires in low buildings. Fire fighting as a science. HDB buildings cannot follow same standards as for private buildings. Examples of how fires were fought in Spyros tanker explosion, CPF Building in Shenton Way, Thiam Joo chemical factory and Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) godowns at Nelson Road. He likes to be present at scene of action.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 7
Metadata
- 24 Nov 1994
Recording Date
- 00:25:45
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:07) Prime minister’s interest in the fire brigade. Personal views on integration of Fire Service into Civil Defence.
(0:06:16) Fire Brigade’s role in Hotel New World disaster.
(0:10:35) Development of fire brigade over the years. Delay in the approvals for building plans.
(0:17:25) Highlights of his career. Still prefers being in the action.
(0:22:53) Frustrations of the job. But would definitely choose the same profession again.
Personal views on integration of Fire Service into Civil Defence. Fire Brigade's role in Hotel New World disaster. Views on how role of Fire Service has changed over the years.
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