UFV’s Amrit Khullar recognized for unwavering heroism

Amrit Khullar with the award he received for unwavering heroism.

Quick actions by two members of the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) Safety and Security team may have saved the life of a man at the Abbotsford campus last summer. Their efforts earned them recognition from the Canadian Security Lifesaver Association (CSLA) .

CSLA created an award to recognize exceptional people working in frontline security positions who, through their actions, have prevented a potentially life-threatening injury or loss of life.

Amrit Khullar, site manager, and Toni McNamee, site supervisor (security officer), were making their way around the Abbotsford campus on June 16 when they got reports that someone was sleeping in the bushes near the Abbotsford Centre (now Rogers Forum).

“We went there thinking we’d just politely ask the person to leave, but as we approached him it sounded like he was gargling,” Amrit remembers. “We tried to announce our presence and talk to him, but he didn’t respond. We went through our assessment and determined that something was stuck in his mouth that was making it very hard for him to breathe.”

Amrit says the man’s skin was pale and cold, his eyes were rolled back, and his pulse was weak and difficult to locate.

While Toni called 9-1-1, Amrit started first aid and administered Narcan. When it didn’t have much of an effect, they attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The man became responsive and agitated, and minutes later, paramedics arrived to take him to the hospital.

“If there had been any delay in what we did, that person may not have lived,” Amrit says. “That makes me happy because if someone’s life is in my hands, I take it very seriously and I’ll do whatever it takes. I’m proud that Toni and I did something that made that kind of difference.”

Amrit, who had only started at UFV days earlier, says consistent training and having a plan make all the difference in a crisis.

“Otherwise, someone may panic and rush into a bad decision,” he notes. “It was a stressful situation, and overdoses are different for each case. It’s always a challenge, but following the checklist and protocols helps to get you through.”

Tina Kerton, UFV’s director of safety and security, says Amrit and Toni stayed calm and composed in a tough situation, and the award is well deserved. She says all members of UFV’s Safety and Security team take pride in keeping the campuses safe for students, faculty, staff, and the public.

“We are incredibly proud of Amrit and Toni for their outstanding response during a critical medical emergency,” Tina says. “Their quick action in administering nasal Naloxone and performing CPR helped save a life. This award recognizes not only their skill and preparedness but also their commitment to the safety and well-being of our community.”

This is the second award Amrit has received for quick thinking in a crisis.

In his previous job, he spotted someone in distress across the street from the business he worked at in East Vancouver. As he got closer, he saw that the person had cut their hand off and had a deep gash on their head. He called for backup and used bath towels to stop the bleeding long enough for paramedics to arrive. That person lived and eventually had their hand reattached.

“It was shocking for maybe 10 seconds and then it was like, ‘OK. What am I going to do next?’” Amrit says. “He was losing blood rapidly, and the towels helped to slow the bleeding and keep him stable. The police and paramedics said that person probably would have died if I hadn’t jumped in, and hearing that was a turning point in my life, because it felt so good.

“That was an awesome moment that inspired me to want to do this work, and that decision led to this awesome moment at UFV.”

Amrit and the UFV Safety and Security team are committed to making sure UFV’s campuses feel safe and secure for everyone. A security operations centre is staffed 24 hours a day, and there are four security offices across the campuses.

From any campus, email SecurityOperationCentre@ufv.ca or phone 1-855-239-7654 (local 7654) to reach them.