Kottayam: District fire officer SK Bijumon has won the President’s Vishisht Seva Medal for his exemplary service during the rescue mission in the Chooralmala and Mundakkai regions after the deadly landslides.

“The fire and rescue personnel were the first responders, and they built a temporary bridge across the river. They rescued more than 360 people who were stranded on the other side of the river within 48 hours. A nurse was transported to the other side to give first aid to the survivors. A child who was in serious condition was also helped by the nurse before being rescued,” recalls Biju, as congratulatory messages from friends and colleagues pour into his mobile phone.

“No one could console each other during those days. The army came and built the bridge 48 hours later. We camped there for ten days. I could rush to the spot as I was posted in Kannur. The teams from other districts arrived only later. We managed to arrange various safety measures, including ropeways,” says Bijumon.

Biju was transferred from Kannur to Kottayam a month ago. He has been a fire and rescue officer for the last 31 years. Bijumon had received the ‘Badge of Honour’ from the Fire and Rescue Director General in March this year. Now, the country has also honoured the officer with the Vishisht Seva Medal.

His wife is Bindu, who works at the Kottayam district court. Their children are Alpana Biju, a staff nurse in the Saudi Arabian government service, and Baby Keerthana, a nursing student.