By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, Oct 17: The recently competed Lutong fire station is now operational with a mission to improve the fire department’s emergency response times and serve the more than 356,900 residents in this division.
Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) secretary-general Datuk M Noor Azman Taib expressed confidence that the station would shorten emergency response times in Lutong and the northern part of Miri City to 10 minutes from the average total response time.
“I was told that the nearest station (to Lutong and Permyjaya) is Lopeng fire station which located 17km away and I hope with the establishment of this fire station (Lutong fire station) it would help shorten response times,” he told the press when officiating at handover ceremony for the new Lutong fire station here today.
Among those present was Sarawak Bomba director Datu Khirudin Drahman.
The construction of Lutong Fire station started on January 2, 2020 at a cost of RM8.2 million. It was completed ahead of schedule.
Fire and Rescue Department Malaysia (Bomba) director general Dato’ Sri Mohammad Hamdan Wahid revealed the Category D fire station sited on a 3.33 hectare piece of land nearby Kuala Batu 1 is equipped with a machinery room, administrative office, logistics store, covered garage, parade ground and four one-storey quarters.
“With the completion of Lutong fire station, this brings the total number of fire stations in Sarawak to 38 and it is fifth station for Miri Zone (Zone 6 Sarawak) in addition to the existing stations which are BBP Lopeng, BBP Miri, BBP Marudi and BBP Batu Niah,” said Mohammad Hamdan.
A total 25 firefighters of various ranks will be stationed at the Lutong fire station. — DayakDaily
