Dubai: Nasser Salem Al Khasif, who was honoured with the Dubai Excellence award in the unsung hero category last month, is inspired by a passion for public service and always eager to go beyond the call of duty.
Al Khasif, a 43-year-old Omani, who works with the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS), has spent 16 years driving ambulances. Al Khasif joined the DCAS in 2000 becaue he was passionate about saving lives. He loves his job that empowers him rescue people and rush them to emergency services.
Al Khasif who hails from the Al Suwaiq area in Oman is a high school graduate and has harboured the dream of serving the community from a young age.
He is aware of the responsibility his job carries. “Everyday is different with several new challenges and new learning curves. It is important for the ambulance to reach on time, our paramedics have to carry out life saving procedures even before the patient reaches the emergency department at the nearest hospital,” Al Khasif said.
As a driver, Al Khasif puts his best foot forward everyday. He recalled the time when he was able to go beyond the call of duty to save an individual stuck under a big tank of water.
“This patient was suffering as his chest was pinned by a heavy water tank and he could not move. I rushed there before the police and other rescue teams, moved the tank with the help of other bystanders and saved the life of the man. He was unconscious and our paramedics administered Cardio Pulmonary Resuciation (CPR) before rushing him to the hospital.”
Thanks to Al Khasif and other paramedics, those few minutes saved the man’s life.
Al Khasif, a father of four, told Gulf News that is family was very happy with this honour.
“I am thrilled to receive this honour and am happy to make DCAS proud,” he said.
Al Khasif who plans to use some of the cash component of the award to help a few needy families. “It has always been my intention to save lives and I am blessed to be able to do my work effectively,” he said.
Al Khasif does not want to rest on his laurels and feels this honour has inspired him to learn new skills in life.
“I am eager to learn new things each day. I would really like to use my imagination to add more creativity to my job and reach a better position in my career,” he said.
