From saving cardiac arrest victims to rescuing a trapped dog from a burning unit, this Bedok NPC CPU officer's instinct to protect never rests – even during Christmas Eve.
By: Domnic Dass
The sound of glass shattering and loud pops pierced through what should have been a quiet Christmas Eve night for Senior Staff Sergeant (SSSgt) Mohamad Rafeeq Bin Haji Mohamad Rashid.
A Community Policing Unit (CPU) officer from Bedok Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC), he watched in horror from his window as flames engulfed a first-floor unit opposite his block in Tampines, rapidly climbing towards the second floor. While his family looked on anxiously, the 18-year veteran of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) didn't hesitate to act.
Living by a Lifesaving Mantra
“Be the help you want to receive,” says SSSgt Rafeeq, reciting the mantra that has guided him since joining the SPF in 2007. As the blaze grew, he leapt into action. “I knew there were elderly residents and pets in the unit,” He recalled. “The fire was intensifying quickly and every second counted.”
What came next was a race against time. When emergency first responders from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and SPF arrived at the scene around 9.40pm, SSSgt Rafeeq immediately assisted them to help to establish a cordon.
Just then, he encountered a distressed man attempting to push past the cordon. The man was frantically trying to reach a neighbouring unit. His friend, the owner, wasn't home – but a domestic helper and a dog were believed to be still inside.
SSSgt Rafeeq and the man decided to search for them. They found the unit unlocked but eerily empty, with smoke from the adjacent fire beginning to seep in. Then came an unexpected challenge on the balcony.
An Unexpected Rescue
“When I reached the balcony through the thickening smoke, I found this huge dog,” SSSgt Rafeeq recalls with a slight chuckle. “It was frozen in fear, and I knew immediately I couldn't handle this alone.”
He rushed back to the holding area, where two members of the public immediately stepped forward to help. Together, they returned to the unit, found the dog’s leash amid the growing chaos and successfully guided the frightened canine to safety. The dog was eventually reunited with the helper who’d evacuated earlier.
After the residents had evacuated to a nearby badminton court, SSSgt Rafeeq continued checking on their well-being as SCDF firefighters worked to contain the blaze. He remained onsite until the situation was fully under control, ensuring the residents were safe.
As SSSgt Rafeeq assisted with the evacuation on Christmas Eve, his family watched from their unit, concerned for his safety yet confident in his abilities. His wife of nine years and their two children, aged seven and three, have grown accustomed to their father’s unwavering commitment to serving the community.
“My family was worried seeing the flames and smoke reach the sixth floor,” SSSgt Rafeeq acknowledges. “But they trusted my experience and knew I was well-prepared to handle such situations. I hope my children also learn this need to help others, no matter how daunting it may be.”
A Family’s Role Model
This wasn’t SSSgt Rafeeq’s first time responding to an emergency while off-duty. Since joining Bedok NPC’s CPU in 2021, he has responded to four cardiac arrest cases through the SCDF’s myResponder app.
On 12 June 2024, SSSgt Rafeeq received a myResponder notification about a nearby cardiac arrest incident while he was visiting a relative. He immediately rushed to the scene and performed CPR on an unconscious senior citizen until the SCDF paramedics arrived. For this public-spirited act, SSSgt Rafeeq received a Community First Responder Award during the Paya Lebar Community Resilience Day on 13 July 2024.
“Incidents like these can occur anytime, anywhere, when you least expect them to,” he reflects. “My experiences as a Police officer have taught me to always be ready to step up. Because this could be someone’s last fighting chance.”
SSSgt Rafeeq has also rendered first-aid assistance in other cases. “During a recent neighbourhood football match, one of the players collapsed on the pitch,” SSSgt Rafeeq recalled. “I promptly provided assistance to help resuscitate him.”
On another occasion, SSSgt Rafeeq aided an on-duty Police patrol team in conducting CPR on an individual, helping to revive him. Through his swift actions and skills, SSSgt Rafeeq demonstrates the valuable role that first responders play in saving lives.
Keeping the Kampong Spirit Alive
What’s striking about these cases is that SSSgt Rafeeq has rarely been alone in his efforts. “In three out of the four cases I attended to through the myResponder app, there was a second responder on the scene as well,” he shared. “Even during the fire, another resident was helping me evacuate people. I’m glad there’re always people willing to step up.”
SSSgt Rafeeq hopes that more residents can do their part to keep the community safe. “This way, we can nurture our younger generation to affirm the kampong spirit,” he explained.
For SSSgt Rafeeq, it’s all part of upholding his pledge of service – whether on or off duty, Christmas Eve or any other day. “When I joined the SPF, I wanted to help people as much as I can while protecting them from the bad guys,” he shared. “Being recognised as a Community First Responder is an honour, and encourages others to step up too.”
Explore Our Content
Editor's Pick
