By Nancy Nais
BAU, June 16: Fire and Rescue Academy Malaysia (FRAM) Sarawak welcomed 78 new recruits today.
They will begin their initial 18-week training to become firefighters at the fire academy in Bau, starting tomorrow.
FRAM Kuala Kubu Bharu commandant Mohd Ali Ismail who conduct a briefing for the parents, guardians and new recruits said firefighters are highly regarded across the country.
It is a career of high caliber not just from a firefighting perspective but from a character perspective.
“You chose to join Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba). You have passed the initial selection and you are now here in the academy to begin your journey with this very special group. It is not going to be easy. Train hard, take pride and cherish it. After that, you can proudly say ‘I am a firefighter’ with honour,” Ali said.
He also emphasised that firefighters’ responsibility is not just to fight fires but also respond to medical emergencies, crime scenes, deliver babies, save animals, run into burning buildings and carry people to safety and many more situations which can seem unthinkable.
“So be the hero ‘Abang Sado’ that you’ve signed up to be, and most importantly, be proud for being selected as new recruits. You will soon become firefighters if you stay on with us,” Ali said.
FRAM Sarawak commandant Sabarudin Mohd said over the next four-and-a-half months, the new recruits will go through intensive training, which will be physically and mentally challenging.
The group is the first batch to go through the course this year.
“We are delighted to have more recruits joining Bomba to help us serve the community. These recruits will have a challenging time ahead of them if they are to make the grade.
“Before beginning full-time duty however, the recruits must go through a rigorous training camp and one thing that is very clear, they must realise that firefighters do much more than fight fires,” Sabarudin said when met at FRAM Bau.
He wished them good luck and looked forward to them joining the front line officers soon.
Shahrolniezam Abidin, 24, from Mukah was all excited and looking forward to start training.
‘I’m really excited about the training. I know it will be hard work but it will be great to complete the course. We have a great group and I’m confident we can all make it through,’ he told DayakDaily.
His mother, Noraini Mahbar, 46, was clearly proud of her son as she spoke of him.
“I am also grateful that he was accepted into FRAM. It is his own interest to join the fire and rescue services. We are glad he is willing to take it up, serve the people and country,” she said.
The urge to wear Bomba’s bright orange camouflage uniform on a daily basis made Claver Billy set his mind to join Bomba since he was in secondary school.
The 20-year-old lad who hails from Serian said although he is very happy to be in the programme, he is equally nervous about the training modules.
“Whatever it is, I’ve vowed not to break half way. I will complete the training. I want to serve the community and be the ‘Abang Sado’ that I’ve signed up to be,” Claver said. — DayakDaily
