By Nancy Nais
SIMUNJAN, May 29: Nineteen firefighters from Simunjan fire station who had to undergo 14 days quarantine for Covid-19 at government quarantine centres and hospitals received some donations from the department today.
They received RM300 from the department’s welfare unit and another RM300 from its sports association.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony at Simunjan fire station, Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) director Khirudin Drahman said due to the pandemic, the department has been assisting the government and other frontliners to enforce the movement control order (MCO) and conditional movement control order (CMCO) since March 30.
Thanking all of the firefighters in the state for their commitment and hard work, not just for their core fire fighting and rescue services but also being part of the frontliners to stop the spread of Covid-19, Khirudin said many of his officers were ordered to undergo home quarantine as well.
“Being frontliners or even any normal human being, even firefighters cannot escape from this outbreak. As of today, no firefighters in Sarawak are identified as positive for Covid-19. Although many of them were put under person under surveillance (PUS), their results came back negative after 14 days quarantine,” Khirudin said at the ceremony.
There are about 350 firefighters per shift in a 32 fire stations throughout Sarawak to help the other frontliners in enforcing the CMO, followed by CMCO until June 9.
“We would like to thank the Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and Sarawak government for their concern over our firefighter’s hard work and welfare as well by approving the special Covid-19 allowance of RM200 per month for frontliners in the state. This is very much appreciated by the team.
“At the same time, we also thank our Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for realising firefighter’s role during this pandemic by approving similar allowance of RM200 for those on duty as frontliners,” Khirudin added.
Meanwhile, Bomba Sarawak assistant director (operations) Tiong Ling Hii said to date, they have conducted 825 operations, involving public sanitation and disinfection at the epicenters.
“So far the operations conducted were; 274 in Kuching, 149 in Miri, 67 in Bintulu, 54 in Sarikei, 46 in Limbang, 55 in Samarahan, 31 in Sri Aman, 26 in Kapit, 43 in Sibu, 33 in Betong, 23 in Serian and 24 in Mukah.
“Among the venues disinfected were government buildings (352), public markets (63), religious buildings (128), transportation (87), hotels (30), assembly areas (90), residentials (38), supermarkets (35) and factories (2),” Tiong said in a statement.
He added that a total of 5,994 firefighters have taken part in the daily operations sweeping through public places and wiping down surfaces to kill viral particles that may linger. —DayakDaily
