Hotel New World collapsed on March 15, 1986, around 11.25am.

Worst disaster in post-war Singapore

33 people died and 17 were injured as a result of the collapse, making it one of the worst disasters in post-war Singapore.

When Mohd Salleh Ali, better known as Encik Agayle, first heard of the incident, he thought to himself:

"How can [a building on] an island with no major weather, strong winds whatsoever just collapse like that?"

But there was no time for the fireman to ponder over the question as he was activated to rescue victims of the collapse as part of the Singapore Fire Brigade (now known as the Singapore Civil Defence Force).

Three units under Fire Brigade

Looking down on the grey rubble of what used to be a brightly-lit six-storey hotel, he was worried as rescue personnel were not trained or equipped to deal with such a situation.

However, it did help that Encik Agayle was also trained as part of the very first MRT Task Force and the Rescue Squad, before going on to join the pioneer Elite Task Force (now known as the Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team, or DART) in 1990.

[related_story]

That's three units — all of which only the fittest men were selected to be part of.

The training for the MRT Task Force, Encik Agayle remembers, was especially useful as he was equipped with the knowledge to go through dark tunnels and rescue victims in tight, confined spaces.

Heartened by supportive members of public

Being the largest scale rescue mission in Singapore then, the seven-day operation became the talking point of every Singaporean, adding pressure for those working to rescue the victims.

However, Encik Agayle recounted that it was heartening to see the support of the numerous members of the public, who witnessed their rescue efforts by the junction of Serangoon Road and Owen Road.

"We were very tired and hungry, but the people around gave us support by bringing some food for us. The support by members of public gave us the courage to carry on the rescue efforts."

Quit school at 17 to support family

32 years later, 60-year-old Encik Agayle is now a senior warrant officer, who rose up all the way from the humble beginnings of a fireman who was wet behind his ears.

In 1975, the then-17-year-old was a student in Pasir Panjang Vocational Institute, learning how to operate and repair heavy duty machinery in order to become a machinist.

Sadly, he had to quit school so he could find a job to help his father, who was working as a messenger at the Port of Singapore Authority, to support the family of eight.

The adventurous young bloke wanted to pursue a career different from his two older brothers, who were then doing their national service as part of the Vigilante Corps and the Singapore Armed Forces.

Despite not having any experience or knowledge in firefighting, he took the plunge and began his stint in the Singapore Fire Brigade as a recruit at the old Jurong Fire Station.

He subsequently moved on to other fire stations, including Central Fire Station and the Civil Defence Academy.

First and last job

Contrary to what you see on calendars, the job of a fireman isn't a glamorous one.

There were times where he was looked down upon as people believed that firemen aren't paid well.

Once, Encik Agayle was given an opportunity to pursue a higher paying job in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and almost took it on, thinking it would help to ease his family's financial situation.

However, his late mother gave him the following advice, knowing that he loved his current job:

"Don't chase after good wages. Chase after stability."

Despite the adversities he faced as a young man, Encik Agayle is glad things turned out the way it did.

"I'm glad things worked out unexpectedly, I didn't expect to be a fireman! From then onwards, I was determined to make it my first and last job."

Named after another fireman

While he is fondly known as Encik Agayle to his colleagues and trainees, not a lot of them know that it isn't his real name.

In fact, his seniors started calling him Encik Agayle ever since he was a trainee.

During a game of football with the other firemen, his senior asked him the following question:

"Recruit, what's your fireman badge number?"

To which, he replied:

"I am fireman badge number 47, sir."

His seniors then looked at one another and exclaimed that he looks exactly like the predecessor of his badge number who — you know it — was called Agayle.

From that day onwards, he was called Agayle instead of Salleh — a name he sportingly accepted as it built camaraderie among his colleagues.

Overseas mission when wife was pregnant

Encik Agayle was also part of Operation Lionheart's very first rescue mission in Baguio City, Philippines.

An earthquake hitting 7.7 on the Richter scale occurred in Baguio City on July 16, 1990, for 45 seconds.

The Lionheart team was flown in to distribute food and tents and treat the injured.

A rescue team was also deployed to look for survivors when a four-storey building collapsed in the earthquake.

This operation was one of Agayle's most challenging missions throughout his career, not just because of the nature of the situation, but also because his wife was heavily pregnant with their first child.

"My biggest worry was my wife's pregnancy. When she needed her husband, I wasn't there."

It was equally as difficult for his wife, a policewoman, to let him go to the Philippines, but she understood that it was his call of duty.

Encik Agayle left for the Philippines knowing that he has the support and blessings of his wife, who was well taken care of by his parents and in-laws.

Eventually, he successfully came back from the mission and happily welcomed their firstborn daughter two months later on Sept. 6 1990.

Father figure to trainees and NSFs

On July 13, he announced his retirement after 43 years in the industry, which garnered more than 2,000 reactions and over 1,000 shares on Facebook:

When he was told that his post had gone viral, he was taken aback and chuckled as he said:

"Even my trainees from Vietnam were sharing the post. The next time I post something on Facebook, I have to be careful."

It comes as no surprise that hundreds of his trainees and former NSFs looked up to him as a father figure, thanks to his nurturing ways.

But that doesn't mean that they don't fear or respect him as an instructor.

As an instructor, Encik Agayle maintains that he has to be firm and knowledgeable in order to discipline his trainees.

However, he believes in something he calls "peer caring".

Out of duty, he is happy to sit down with his trainees and get them to share their worries and no matter what, he will try to help them to the best of his ability.

"I do care about them. Even if you're my private, I will sit down and talk to you over coffee."

Not slowing down anytime soon

Even after 43 years in the industry, he's not slowing down anytime soon.

Just a day after his retirement, he was reemployed for another year.

But why would he want to be reemployed when he can spend his days doing activities he enjoys such as going fishing, riding his motorcycle, or simply spending time with his wife and children?

It's because he can't imagine what life would be like if he wasn't a fireman.

"It's my passion, I love this job. Not only will I miss my job, I will miss my colleagues and nagging them too."

Top image from SCDF's Facebook page