The family of an Emirati firefighter who died in a Dubai blaze have expressed their pride in knowing their son and brother died in the line of duty, rescuing others.
Sgt Omar Khalifa Al Ketbi, 29, from Dubai Civil Defence, lost his life responding to a fire in Al Aweer last Friday.
Sgt Al Ketbi's eldest brother, Capt Dr Salem Khalifa Al Ketbi, who works at the forensic science and criminology department at Dubai Police, told The National that his family were in shock.
“Until now, we can’t believe that he passed away,” said Dr Al Ketbi.
“My relationship with Omar was like father and son because of the age difference. The last time I saw him was on Thursday before he went to work on Friday.”
Crews from Al Mizhar, Rashidiya and Nad Al Shiba fire stations were called to the scene at Al Kabayel Discount Centre at 12.32pm.
They helped people to safety and spent several hours extinguishing the fire.
Sgt Al Ketbi was killed when a section of the building's roof collapsed during the cooling-down process at 7.20pm.
Serving this country
Omar's father, Khalifa Al Ketbi, received a phone call on Friday to say his son was in a critical condition and family members rushed to Al Aweer.
“We arrived at the blaze scene and were informed about his death. It was shocking news for our family,” Dr Al Ketbi added.
“It is a big loss but this is God’s will. Omar is a martyr, as he died with honour while performing his duty and serving his country.”
Sgt Al Ketbi, who was single, and his brother lived with their parents in he Al Mezhar, Dubai. They have seven sisters.
“Omar was a loving and caring person, always looking to help people and to do good deeds. He was looking after my parents and always helping me whenever I asked him for something,” said Dr Al Ketbi.
The sergeant had served with Rashidiya fire station since 2017 and took the lead in extinguishing hundreds of fires in the UAE, his brother said.
“He always goes quickly to any fire scene ahead of his friends. He was brave since he was a child. He picked a noble occupation and wanted to be a firefighter to help others,” he said.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, paid tribute to the firefighter in a post on Twitter.
“Our firefighters sacrifice their lives to save others and to protect our nation,” Sheikh Hamdan wrote.
“Dubai will remember Sergeant Omar Khalifa Al Ketbi, who passed away while on duty responding to a fire in Al Aweer.”
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed, Second Deputy Ruler, also offered their condolences to the family.
“The support we found from UAE leaders and the nation relieved the pain of losing Omar. Everybody visited us during the funeral and didn’t leave us alone,” said his brother.
Brig Ali Hassan Al Mutawa, Dubai Civil Defence's assistant director general for fire and rescue affairs, described Sgt Al Ketbi as a unique character and popular among his friends.
“Omar was the last firefighter leaving the fire scene before a section of the building's roof collapsed,” said Brig Al Mutawa during the funeral.
“He was professional in his work and always stepping ahead of his workmates during blazes.
“He had full knowledge of safety procedures and was fully equipped with gear but it is the firefighter’s destiny in the world to present such sacrifices.”
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From exhibitions to the battlefield
In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the 'De Vernufteling' people's choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.
It was assigned by the Dutch Ministry of Defence to modify the Shaded Dome to make it suitable for ballistic protection. Royal HaskoningDHV, one of the companies which designed the dome, is an independent international engineering and project management consultancy, leading the way in sustainable development and innovation.
It is driving positive change through innovation and technology, helping use resources more efficiently.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
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Sam Smith
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5
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Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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Transmission: 10-speed auto
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