By Nancy Nais
SARATOK, Nov 18: Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Sarawak conducted a survey on several proposals to build more fire stations in areas that are currently covered by Saratok fire station.
According to Sri Aman fire chief PgB Ramlan Marajan, the two-days survey were made in Pusa, Beladin, Meludam, Kabong, Engkilili, Lubok Antu and Lingga.
“The study will give us a clearer picture for the proposed development and construction of fire stations. Areas that we must take into consideration are fire cover, population, current development, distance from the existing fire station and other risks as well.
“This is to ensure that the department can provide better and efficient services, particularly emergency response time,” Ramlan said, adding the large area which Saratok fire station had to take care of, considering the number of search and rescue, fire, road accidents or floods cases.
With the construction of more fire stations, it will somehow assist the department’s response time especially those in relatively remote areas.
Among those who conduct the two-day survey were Bomba Sarawak deputy director PPjB Zainal Madasin, Sri Aman fire and safety unit TPgB II Di Hata Gobel and Saratok fire station chief PPgB Nazry Mohamat.
Also with them today were Sarawak Administrative Officers (SAO) Lingga Mohammad Firdauz Abdillah and SAO Sri Aman Mohd Hamizan Yahya.
Presently, there are 34 fire stations across Sarawak.
Five new stations in Belaga (66 percent), Lutong (14 percent), Asajaya (7 percent) Sungai Plan (90 percent), and Sibujaya (99 percent) are under construction.
However, Sarawak being the largest state in the country is huge in size with scattered populations particularly in the rural area, on top of geographical challenges faced by Bomba. – DayakDaily
