ASP Ahmad Khusairi Bin Juraimi received the High Commendation Award at the CP’s Commendation Ceremony 2023 for his selfless act to evacuate staff and patients of a dialysis centre to safety during a fire. Police Life finds out how he raced against time to save lives!
By : Ashwini Jayasankar
Beginning his career with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in 1983 as a patrol officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ahmad Khusairi Bin Juraimi steadily advanced through the ranks and is currently the Deputy Head of the Training Branch at Bedok Police Division. His duties include planning the annual training programme for frontline officers, coordinating the induction programme for newly posted officers and providing guidance to the junior trainers when executing their duties.
A Timely Rescue
ASP Ahmad was near the rear gate of Bedok Police Division on 15 November 2022 at around 4pm when he noticed smoke coming from a nearby block.
“I rushed down with a colleague to investigate and saw flames coming from two personal mobility scooters parked outside the National Kidney Foundation Dialysis Centre at Block 105, Bedok North Avenue 4,” said ASP Ahmad.
Upon his arrival, thick smoke engulfed the dialysis centre. It was a daunting sight.
Instinctively, ASP Ahmad knew he had to act fast to get all occupants of the dialysis centre out of danger. “Time was of the essence and the bottom line was to evacuate everyone safely in time,” he recalled.
ASP Ahmad swiftly proceeded to evacuate the patients and staff from the dialysis centre to a badminton court behind the block while his colleague helped to combat the fire using a water hose from the centre’s restroom.
As many of the patients were bedridden, ASP Ahmad had to push them in their beds out of the dialysis centre.
Recounting the incident, ASP Ahmad said, “I tried to evacuate as many patients as I could as fast as possible.” He made about five trips to evacuate all the patients, running at times to speed up the evacuation.
Within 20 minutes, all the patients had been evacuated, and no one was injured. He also briefed Singapore Civil Defence Force first responders on the source of the fire and worked with officers from Bedok Neighbourhood Police Centre to account for everyone’s safety.
“I consider myself to be incredibly fortunate to have been present at the precise moment and location to help both the patients and staff,” he shared.
Leading by Example
ASP Ahmad hopes that his actions will inspire fellow young officers and members of the public to act in similar situations.
“I always believe in leading by example, practising what I preach and walking the talk,” shared ASP Ahmad.
In recognition of his courageous efforts that day, ASP Ahmad was presented with the High Commendation Award at the Commissioner of Police’s (CP) Commendation Ceremony on 23 June 2023.
This year, a total of nine individuals, 11 teams and three High Commendation awards were presented to officers. ASP Ahmad felt a profound sense of gratitude to be among the fortunate few to receive the prestigious High Commendation Award.
“This award is very meaningful to me,” said ASP Ahmad. “It’s more special than others that I’ve received in my career and I’m truly grateful.”
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