CD Lionhearters will be equipped with skills in first-aid, fire safety and emergency procedures, among others. PHOTO: Sidwyn Koh

Guest-of-Honour Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, Chairman of Home Team Volunteers Network, congratulates the new batch of CD Lionhearters. PHOTO: Sidwyn Koh

A total of 44 students from ITE College Central have formed the fifth batch of CD Lionhearters, bringing the total number of CD Lionhearters in the island to 407.


“We believe in the CD Lionhearters programme because it’s a means where we can have an opportunity for young students to learn about community preparedness and to get hands-on experience,” said Mr Kong Chee Seng, 52, Director, School of Engineering at ITE College Central. 


“Most importantly, they can use what they have learnt to help people in society and also to participate and contribute their efforts in providing international help.”


There are many reasons why one would become a CD Lionhearter.


22-year-old Mr Hafiz Roslin, currently pursuing a National Institute of Technical Education Certificate (NITEC) in Mechanical Technology at the MacPherson Campus, cites his National Service (NS) experience as the reason for his participation.


His NS experience as a military paramedic for the infantry unit and his passion for helping people inspired him to join the CD Lionhearters.

“Back in my NS life, I was a paramedic in the army, supporting the infantry unit. The experience made me realise that I like to help people, and being in the CD Lionhearters will allow me to help people even more.”
 

Others, such as Miss Nur Hidayah Hamsah, saw the CD Lionhearter Clubs as a platform for personal development.


“I wanted to try something new, get a new experience and gain knowledge at the same time,” said the 20-year-old student who is pursuing a Higher NITEC in Mechanical Engineering at the Tampines campus.


For Mechanical Technology student Mr Nico Siew, 21, the motivation for joining the CD Lionhearters came from his class advisors.


“It’s my first year in the school and I was looking for a CCA to join. My class advisor told me about CD Lionhearters,” he said.

“I felt that (joining the club) would be  a good experience as I can help the community and go overseas for relief missions to help people.”


Lionhearters such as Mr Hafiz, Miss Hidayah and Mr Siew undergo training such as the Community Emergency Preparedness Programme (CEPP), which equips them in skills such as first aid, fire safety and emergency procedures. 


Overseas-bound Lionhearters will also be trained on psychological preparation, as well as regional disaster response and understanding their host country’s cultural sensitivities.


In addition to ITE’s, the club is also available in polytechnics.


The club was piloted in October 2009 at Singapore Polytechnic and launched in October 2011 at Temasek Polytechnic.