By Nancy Nais
TATAU, Sept 21: Seventy seven villagers from 11 longhouses along Sg Sebemban and Jalan Kuala Tatau have more awareness regarding fire safety and prevention after attending a two-days community programme conducted by Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba).
Organised by Bomba Bintulu zone together with Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd, the programme that has benefitted the Iban-majority community from a total of 256 ‘pintu’ was held at Rh Hendry Diman Suring yesterday.
The community programme was one of the initiatives to prepare communities for fire emergencies by equipping them with skills and knowledge to act first while waiting for firefighters to arrive.
The participants were from Rh Hendry Diman, Rh Layang, Rh Fabian Jembu, Rh Toni Mupi, Rh Jawing Medan, Rh Tajing, Rh Gemat Lebu, Rh Enbau Anting, Rh Isa Megong, Rh Dunggat Gani and Rh Uchong Nyipan.
Bomba Sarawak director Khirudin Drahman said through these tailored programme, villagers were taught on longhouse management, evacuation procedures, how to use fire extinguisher in the early stage of an outbreak, identification of fire equipment as well as rescue procedures.
“I urged all of you to grab the ‘Be a Champion’ opportunity like this with Bomba. Most major fires are a result of people being unaware and unable to prevent them at the initial stage. The time is now for all of you to endeavour to become first responders,” he said during the event.
He also emphasised to the villagers about the 3L syndrome “Lupa, Leka dan Lalai”, which refers to forgetfulness, carelessness and negligent attitudes of the public, as among the major contributors to fire incidences.
“This 3L is an unwelcome attitude and it must stop. The number of longhouse fire statistics in the state over the last few years are enough to tell us how dangerous fire can be and this is always a loosing battle,” he stressed.
Thanking Petronas for their continuous commitment in working together with Bomba Sarawak and the local communities, Khirudin pointed out that the department was serious in fire safety education to raise awareness among the people.
“This is an approach that the department are working hard to implement in Sarawak and we need cooperation from all parties such as villagers, local community leaders and corporate bodies because we cannot do it alone,” he added.
Meanwhile, Petronas senior managing director Peter Majid Tandom also contributed 75 fire extinguishers to the 11 longhouses as part of their corporate social responsibility.— DayakDaily
