Among his friends, community first responder Darryl Lee, 20, has earned the nickname “Batman” for his late-night heroics.
Since becoming a first responder to alerts for medical assistance at 16, Mr Lee has responded to calls at any hour of the day, including in the middle of the night at 3am or 5am.
“Most of the time, I am already asleep. But when the alert sounds, I will just accept (the request) and go,” the second-year nursing student at Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) said.
Mr Lee has responded to 77 calls for assistance, which included 65 cardiac arrests on the myResponder app. The app, launched by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), alerts community first responders of cardiac arrest cases or minor fires nearby through a distinct blaring alarm.
Other times, he stops what he is doing, be it eating his meal or hanging out with friends, to respond to a case.
“I always brace myself for whenever the alert comes,” said Mr Lee, who carries a first aid kit with him at all times.
He is usually at home when the myResponder alert sounds. The cases he responds to are within 800m of where he is.
As it is crucial to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and perform defibrillation within the first six minutes of a cardiac arrest case, he runs to try to reach the person in distress within three to four minutes.
Mr Lee is a finalist for The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year award, which is given to a Singaporean or group of citizens who have made a significant contribution to society. This can be through achievements that put Singapore on the world stage, or by going beyond the call of duty to selflessly improve the lives of others in the community, among other ways.
The Singaporean of the Year Award, now in its 11th year, is organised by The Straits Times, and presented by UBS Singapore.
Helping others is a value that has been deeply ingrained in Mr Lee by his parents.
“Since young, my parents taught me to be respectful and helpful to others,” Mr Lee said, sharing how his mother would step forward to help children lost in public.
Witnessing his parents’ kindness made him “always want to help someone in need”.
His mother works in an administrative role, while his father works in the food and beverage industry. Mr Lee also has an older sister.
When he was 12, he was inspired by local police drama series C.L.I.F., which featured SCDF and police officers regularly helping people.
His interest in joining nursing solidified after he attended a three-day healthcare elective module in 2021, as a Secondary 4 student at Bukit View Secondary School.
