Issue 3 2008 A Quarterly SPC Newsletter

A Quarterly SPC Newsletter
A Quarterly SPC Newsletter
Issue 3 2008
In the heat of action
It was a hot and dry morning on 5 June 2008. A tank truck loaded
with 10,000 litres of petrol was reversing towards a Liquefied Petroleum
Gas (LPG) storage tank when the driver suddenly lost control of the
vehicle. The truck hit the LPG pump and pipes, causing a two-inch pipe
flange to snap and LPG to gush out from it. A plant operator working
nearby quickly shut off the valve to prevent more LPG from flowing out
of the storage tank. Alas, he was still a tad too late. Some LPG from
the broken flange flowed out and caused a fire. As a result, the plant
operator sustained a burnt injury on the leg.
It looked real and a scene off the movies but it was just an exercise
by SPC’s Jurong Bulk Plant (JBP) and Singapore Civil Defence Force
(SCDF) to simulate a fire fighting operation.
It may just be an exercise but every participant – about 70 JBP and
SCDF personnel - was serious and engrossed in their roles. When
the fire alarm sounded, all JBP staff stopped work immediately and
proceeded to the assembly area in an orderly manner. Meanwhile,
the SCDF rescue team was despatched immediately to JBP to put out
the fire and provide medical assistance to the injured man. The entire
exercise lasted for three hours.
Every year, SPC undertakes various emergency response exercises to
rehearse and refine the preventive measures and operational actions
that will minimise injury as well as property damage and loss. These
exercises enhance the coordination, communication, command and
control abilities among different departments in times of emergency.
The effectiveness, efficiency and compatibility of the fire-fighting,
rescue and communication equipment are also put to the test.
Top: The ‘injured’ man was being carried away from the accident area by the SCDF team.
Middle: JBP staff sprung into action immediately to assist in the fire fighting.
Bottom: Unfazed by the burning flames, JBP staff worked in tandem to put out the fire.
The shaving process caused no jittery to Jimi who just wanted to do his part for charity.
When no hair brings more care
SPC Customer Service Executive Mr Jimi Lim lost his hair.
It was not the result of a bad haircut or work stress. He became bald
because he cares for people.
On 6 July 2008, Jimi shaved his head to show his support for children
stricken with cancer. Such a daring gesture sent a strong message to
the children that they are not alone in their fight against cancer and that
they should not feel sad about losing hair. This was the 6 th consecutive
year that Hair for Hope 2008, an awareness campaign by the Children’s
Cancer Foundation, was held to raise funds and motivate the little ones
to live on bravely.
And this year was the second time that Jimi ‘lost’ his hair. He first shaved
his head because of his good friend who died of cancer last year.
“He was a brave man. During the two years when he was receiving
treatment, he never stopped encouraging the children with cancer and
supporting the cancer charity in Singapore,” said Jimi. “I still remember
how he braved through the five-kilometre Terry Fox Run, stood in the
hot sun canvassing for donations for the cancer society, and caroled
to terminally-ill patients during Christmas. His love and acts for the
children deeply inspired me.”
It was not easy putting a kind thought into action though. Jimi had
struggled with the idea of being bald but his heart of gold eventually
got the better of him.
“My first shaving last year literally shocked many friends, but that was
good because I had created the awareness,” he chuckled. “For 2008,
besides the money that I aimed to raise, I challenged myself to gather
more people to shave their heads with me, and I did it!” He now boasts
a personal record of two females and four males.
Being an active volunteer, Jimi definitely contributes more than just his
locks of hair. Two years ago during Christmas, he shared season’s joy
with some children and old folks by baking them cookies. Last year, he
fronted SPC’s participation in Heartstrings Walk @ Marina Bay, a fundraising
event for Community Chest. And in support of his charitable
act, the Company made a contribution by matching the participation
fees collected from its employees.
As an acknowledgment of his efforts for charity and rallying his
colleagues to support corporate volunteerism, Jimi was conferred the
SPC Recognition Award For Voluntary Work/Charity in 2007.
“SPC encourages employee volunteerism towards society as it not only
helps the community but also builds team cohesion and instills self
value through community service. Jimi and many others in SPC have
been organising such activities regularly and they are very passionate
in doing their share for society,” said Mrs Doris Tan, General Manager
(Human Resource & Administration). “We are very proud of them and
we hope to see more employees involved in spreading the goodwill
and cheer.”
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