By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Dec 30: The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) is waiting for the green light to construct fire stations in Julau, Lubok Antu, Dalat, Sungai Asap, and Batu Kawa.
Sarawak Bomba director Datu Khirudin Drahman@Hussaini said the department has already conducted a study to determine the suitable location for new fire stations in Sarawak, and the proposal has been submitted to relevant parties for approval.
Sarawak presently has 38 fire stations, including the ongoing construction of a fire station in Asajaya.
Despite the small number compared to the size of Sarawak’s land mass, he explained that it would be impractical to build a fire station in every area and that it must offer ‘value for money’ instead.
“Thus, we are looking at a different approach which is through the establishment of auxiliary firefighter squad (PBS) and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) that can provide help within response time,” he said at Bomba Sarawak Appreciation Ceremony 2022 held at Sarawak Bomba headquarters here today.
At the same time, Khirudin reserved his comment on the idea of purchasing a Bombardier aircraft for Sarawak Bomba, which was previously proposed by the then federal Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin.
“(With regards to) bombardier, it is not for me to comment because the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) had already purchased two units (of bombardier).
“Moreover, we have integration of government assets through the Malaysia National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) under the National Security Council (NSC). This means these assets can be (shared). To maintain the assets is not easy too,” he added.
At the event, Khirudin put on the promotion badges to two Bomba officers, namely Ali Sahar, who will serve as the new Kidurong Fire Chief and Michael Begun Gumbai, as Belaga Fire Chief, starting Jan 1 next year.
He also presented the Safe Workplace Award to seven bodies who have maintained good fire and safety practices in their premises, namely Independent Oil Terminal (IOT), HGST (Western Digital), Titanium Management, Wisma Salcra, The Spring Mall, Waterfront Hotel, and Petronas Dagangan.
Also present were Bomba Sarawak deputy director Tiong Ling Hii, assistant director (Operations) Henderi Ardimansyah and assistant director (Fire Safety Division) Mohamad Fauzi Mohd Kifli. — DayakDaily
