To be a fireman: His first and last job
On 12 October 1978, he was onboard mv Spyros to search and retrieve casualties. He was there.
He was there at Pulau Bukom in 1981 when an oil refinery burnt.
He was there at Hotel New World in 1986 when the building collapsed.
He was there at Pulau Merlimau in 1988 when another oil refinery burnt.
He was in Baguio City, Philippines in 1990, in an aftermath of a 7.7 earthquake.
Mohd Salleh Ali was there, at every step of Singapore’s nation-building and the development of the Singapore Civil Defence Force – from being a member of the first MRT Task Force to the Rescue squad to the pioneer Elite Task Force (now known as DART) in 1990.
He has never left. He stands ready each day (more than 40 years from the day he joined SCDF).
He quit school at 17 and had no prior experience and knowledge in firefighting. He did it to protect and support his family of 8.
Salleh was “fireman badge number 47”.
It turned out that this would be Mohd Salleh Ali’s (or more fondly known as Encik Agayle) first and last job.
Little did he know that he will come to have a giant imprint in the lives of firemen, non-commissioned officers, and his officers alike, NSFs and regulars.
From safeguarding his family economically, Encik became the embodiment of the values and camaraderie within SCDF – the professionalism and competency at the core of their daily work as well as the integrity and fairness that he treats every person that crosses his path.
Encik Agayle was more than a senior warrant. He was a trainer of men, their commander, their regimental sergeant major, their friend and their father figure. Over a cup of coffee, he was also their confidante.
Throughout his more than forty years with the force, Encik Agayle protected, saved, secured and served his family, unit, formation and nation.
Even during the pandemic, he volunteered to be a medic, putting his expertise to serve and help, however and whenever he could.
Photo source: Fasiha Nazren/Mothership.sg
Photo source: Amy Zainal/FB
On 26 January 2023, he left for a better place where he will be protected and honoured as God’s good and faithful servant.
He will be missed, but the heavens, today, rejoice at the arrival of an illustrious servant of his people and faith.
He kept faith in his nation, and his nation kept its faith in him.
He was 64.
What would life have been like if Encik Agayle wasn’t a fireman?
We do not know. What we do know is that Singapore will be a less secure and less prosperous society.
He was more than a pioneer. He walked the difficult paths so that generations of men after him can work, protect, save and served Singapore and Singaporeans in a safer and more conducive environment.
First, we fear him.
Then we may probably loathe him.
And then, we respect him.
Today, we pay a special tribute to Encik Agayle, for who he was, for what he represented and for the many lessons in firefighting and life that were taught to generations of Singaporean men and women in uniform.
Senior Warrant Officer Mohd Salleh Ali, “The Legend”, Thank you!
Encik Agayle, we owe you a debt of gratitude. "Thank you" is the least we can say today.
Though you may have left us, the competency, professionalism, integrity and camaraderie that you left behind are living and walking examples each day, pledging their lives to protect and save Singapore.
They and a safe and secure Singapore are your timeless legacy.
Firefighting was not a job to be looked down on. It was Mohd Salleh Ali's first and last job; his dignity, pride and profession.
Unless stated otherwise, all photos are obtained from Mohd Salleh Ali's FB
