Mohammad Hamdan shakes hands with Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang (right) as they meet prior to the opening ceremony for the new Bomba station on Selangau. Standing next to the assemblyman is Bomba Sarawak director Datu Khirudin Drahman.
SELANGAU (Jan 31): The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) is reapplying for allocations under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) meant develop and improve firefighting infrastructure, which also covers setting up of new stations, in Sarawak.
According to Bomba director-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Hamdan Wahid, the projects consist of the construction of the Bomba Academy Sarawak Region, purchase of building for its Batu Kawa station, preliminary works on Lubok Antu and Sungai Asap stations, and also preliminary works of the Bomba Air Base in Kuching.
He expresses hope that the 12MP fund application would be approved to ensure that these development projects could continue to improve the level of effectiveness and efficiency of the Bomba Sarawak force.
“Bomba’s focus in 2023 is to continue the efforts towards effective, comprehensive and empowered its management and operations to ensure the safety of every citizen.
“Accordingly, the addition of and improvement on firefighting infrastructures such as the new station projects, remain the department’s priority towards ensuring that the service access is at an optimal level,” he said at the official opening of Bomba Selangau station yesterday.
On the station, Mohammad Hamdan said it meant to benefit some 30,000 local residents, adding that they would no longer need to rely solely on Sibu and Mukah stations, which are located about 100km from the Selangau District.
He also noted that the frequency of emergency calls recorded in Selangau was still low, with an average of 70 calls per year.
However, he said with the new station, the Bomba would always be ready for any eventuality.
Adding on, he said with the addition of the Selangau station, Sarawak now has a total of 38 fire stations.
“However, this existing number of stations is not sufficient in fulfilling the firefighting needs in Sarawak, which covers an area of 124,450 square kilometres – almost as vast as Peninsular Malaysia.
“Especially in the rural areas, it is difficult due to the long distances.”
On a more positive note, Mohammad Hamdan said it was encouraging to see that last year, the average emergency response time recorded in Sarawak was 7.44 minutes – a decline from 8.07 minutes recorded in 2021.
“This gives a positive impression that the response time to reach the scene (of fire or other disaster) is getting faster.
“The active involvement of the Voluntary Fire Brigades (PBS) and the Community Fire Brigades (PBK) throughout Sarawak also helps a lot in providing immediate emergency assistance,” he said.
from Borneo Post Online https://ift.tt/pKLgAiQ
via IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment