Special rescue unit member Mr. Suganuma and Fire Rescue Task Forces member Mr. Sugimoto regularly train hard for rescue activities. What motivated you to participate in the overseas search and rescue training program during these busy times?

(Mr. Suganuma) When I was enrolled in the Fire Rescue Task Forces of the 8th District Fire District Headquarters, we experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake. As a Hyper Rescue unit member of the first group, I was dispatched to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant to cool it. During the disaster, through contact with rescuers from different countries, we realize the importance of communicating with rescue teams outside of Japan, and I thought this would be a great chance. That's why I applied to this program.

(Mr. Sugimoto) First, as a member registered to the International Rescue Team of Japan Fire - Service (*1), I wanted to learn about rescue activities overseas. On top of that, I wanted to make the best of our professional duties from here on, along with learning the mindset and communicating with the rescue and fire team personnel of each country in Asia. I wanted to expand our mentality by living with and connecting with people of foreign cultures through the 2 week training course.

(*1) When a large-scale disaster occurs overseas, at the request of the government such as the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Fire and Disaster Management Agency, registered International Rescue Team members of each prefectural fire department agency are dispatched to the disaster areas to perform rescue activities.

As a training coordinator, I received the schedule from Singapore and looked at it beforehand. I felt the schedule everyday was fully packed. How were the contents of the training?

(Mr. Sugimoto) This program was composed of lectures, practice, facility visits, 24 hour endurance training, and the closing ceremonies. In the 24 hour endurance practice as the final program, 17 trainees rescued those in need of help from 7 places in order in two big training facilities. That was the very program that tested our achievement in the training.

(Mr. Suganuma) In preparation for a major disaster, the rescue team members of Asian countries united and held practices, learned search and rescue points in urban areas, and experienced the curriculum at the actual scenes. It was a program where we learned worldwide standard techniques for rope rescue and breaching (destruction training), and shoring (building stabilization) techniques.

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Were there any advantages to participate in the actual training? Please tell us about any useful programs for Tokyo in the future?

(Mr. Suganuma) At the 24 hour comprehensive training, attendees from seven countries each exchanged their opinions while performing rescue activity work. Usually we don't have a chance to directly communicate with foreign rescue teams. But once we participated in the training, we were able to work together and simulate actual rescue activities overseas.

(Mr. Sugimoto) Likewise, the point is that we were able to have an opportunity to interact with foreign people. I was also good to hear directly from the foreign participants about their rescue activities and what was needed and rescue scenes from the Christchurch earthquake. Singaporean teachers have accepted trainees from many countries until now, and also go overseas to teach. Apparently, they know people from United Arab Emirates, Asia, and Australia. We, firefighters, often go overseas to participate in rescue activities. We think those activities will become easier because we can reunite with our comrades many times.

What was the hardest part of the training this time?

(Mr. Sugimoto) Of course, the language barrier. It was really hard. At the 7 places we performed the 24 hour training, we chose a leader to give instructions for each area. As for me, I was assigned as the leader for one area. I had to give specific instructions in English. However, since firefighting use specific terms, everyday English was not sufficient in many cases. Because there was an Australian attendee nearby from beginning to end of the training, I could learn practical expressions. If you are the one receiving instructions, you understand the instructions by watching what he's doing. But, if you're the one actually giving specific instructions, you have to do it many times by yourself. That's why it was meaningful to participate in the training.

(Mr. Suganuma) There was definitely a language barrier. Even so, if we asked questions about what we didn't understand, they broke it down and explained it to us. To some extent, the method of rescue was similar in every city, so we were able to grasp the overall image easily, and the teacher's English was simple to understand.

During this training, besides the two of you from Tokyo, other participants from cities around the world also got together. I'm sure you must've had many chances to talk. What did the participants from other cities think of the training?

(Mr. Sugimoto) There were many training devices, and the scale was so large, the facilities received a favorable review. The most interesting part was that they had set up a 4-5 story abandoned army lodging building as a training facility. More practical trainings were possible through cutting concrete and shoring to prevent the building from crumbling. We expressed our interest in being able to utilize a large structure and conduct large scale, high quality training.
When we actually participated in the training, we felt how highly regarded the SCDA was outside of the country. In order for Tokyo to also take high level rescue techniques and advanced equipment overseas, the Tokyo Fire Department should dispatch more instructors as well as accept more trainees from overseas (*2). I strongly believe that If we further expand the opportunities for interaction, we can contribute more to the world. As for myself, by making the best of this training experience and thinking more deliberately about how Tokyo can contribute to foreign countries, I will contribute to my next professional duties.

Didn't you have a lot of opportunities to interact with fellow trainees outside of the classroom because you ate and slept together at the SCDA dorms? What was it like communicating outside of the classes, and in the living environment of the dorms?

(Mr. Suganuma) The dorms were within the premises of the training facility, there were 2 people to a room, and all the trainees were staying on the same floor. Baths, toilets, and laundry were communal, so we were granted the chance to come in contact with fellow trainees from other countries outside of the classroom. Except on the weekends, we had 3 meals provided weekly. We went for drinks many times with fellow trainees, twice with the whole group. So we were able to get to know each other better. There were 4 instructors, plus one 24 hour support staff member on the same floor to consult with any time. We never felt any particular inconvenience.

Because this training's practice is hard, the participants are required to bring in medical credentials beforehand. Your schedule was tightly packed every weekday from 8 in the morning until 5:30 in the evening. You must have been exhausted. How did you spend your time after classes on the weekdays or on weekends?

(Mr. Suganuma) If we possessed rescue team qualifications, we already train on a daily basis. There weren't any real problems. (*chuckles*) We had plenty of extra energy to have fun after classes. After weekday classes, the Singapore staff asked usabout places we wanted to go, and took us sightseeing in their private automobile. Besides sightseeing spots, we were able to go to local places that aren't in guidebooks. We were able to buy souvenirs cheaply at the Mustafa Center in India Town (*3) and we bought some Merlion chocolates to distribute for everyone. Although Japanese call it one of the three most disappointing sightseeing spots in the world (*laughs*) (*4), it was really pretty at night. At the bars nearby and Hookers in Chinatown (a street food area), we could take in the area's atmosphere where there were a lot of locals.

(*3) A 24 hour Indian-style discount shopping center carrying food, daily supplies, electronics, clothes, accessories, and any other possible item.
(*4) These 3 sightseeing spots are places where Japanese people feel disappointed upon seeing them in person because of high expectations beforehand. The Merlion in Singapore, the Mermaid Statue in Copenhagen, and Mannequin Piss in Brussels are famous but surprisingly smallish and cute.

On Sunday, we went to Malaysia's Johor Bahru, Senibong, and cheap shopping centers with trainees from Korea we became close with.

(Mr. Sugimoto) Senibong is the beach lined with the small huts where you can enjoy delicious seafood. Japanese people seldom go there. We could enjoy crab chili sauce and tempura-style shrimp dishes at remarkably affordable prices for Japanese. The Australian team went to Sentosa Island, where they seemed to enjoy going out using buses and trains.

It seems like your training was greatly fulfilling. You also apparently enjoyed your weekends and extracurricular time in Singapore. Lastly, what was the best part of this training?

(Mr. Suganuma) Interacting with each country's participants was great. It was good to learn about each country's national traits. The language was tough, but conversely the hardships of participating in the training program made me realize the importance of language.

(Mr. Sugimoto) The best thing was being able to make friends with the participants from each country. I still keep in touch with them even now. Because we share the similar work environment, it was extremely fun to discuss topics of mutual interests, such as our countries, families. Originally, I was studying English with the aim of performing overseas rescue activities. After participating in the training, I think I want to improve myself by studying more.

For the two participants from Tokyo, this training seemed to be not only a chance to acquire skills in search and rescue, but also a great opportunity to interact with participants from each country and expand their personal network. It seems like everyday was so fulfilling that both of them would definitely participate again if they had a chance.
If you are interested, please join the training after next year!!

SCDA's homepage here (English only): http://www.scdf.gov.sg/content/scdf_internet/en.html