after two gruelling days of basic firefighting course at the civil defence academy, my perceptions of CD has changed. as far as NS is concerned, CD isn't a dumping ground for rejects, and definitely isn't slack. in fact, i pretty much respect CD NSFs for having the discipline and endurance to complete their basic training. the bmt at CD (ie firefighting training) is 6 solid months man. and to think just two days there has completely shagged me out. but the things we did were defintely fun. like the ship simulator, which is this building filled with obstacles, simulating a ship's interior. we had to cross all the obstacles blindfolded, and breathe using the breathing apparatus (12.6kg oxygen tank on our backs). it was damn freaky (coz you can't tell when the air will run out, since you're blindfolded and can't see the pressure gauge), but thoroughly enthralling anyway. oh..and not to forget the smoke filled corridors (and i really mean smoke filled), 100kg dummy casualty (-_-) and putting out the flash fires in the furnace. god, we should never underestimate the power of fire man. i literally felt like i was being fried from the inside when i went into the room with the flash fire (fire which spreads onto the ceiling and walls). definitely, an eye-opener. who could have guessed i was capable of passing such a tough course? lol.