El Nino measures in place, says Dept
Published on: Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: The State Fire and Rescue Department has put in place mitigation measures as the country braces for the El Nino heat which is expected to last until March. "We are aware of the El Nino forecast and the effect it can have in Sabah which has many areas, such as Beaufort and Papar, that are highly prone to peat fires," said its Director Nordin Pauzi at a media conference, here. "These are among challenges this year, we must and have made early preparations for the dry season," he said at the annual fire and rescue marching event, Monday. ADVERTISEMENT The event also saw launching of the 5S – Sisih (sorting), Susun (organising), Sapu (cleaning), Seragam (sanitising) and Sentiasa amal (sustaining) – practices at the Fire and Rescue Department. He said in the context of preparation for peat fires and bush fires, there is also need for integrated effort from relevant agencies as well as the people. "With the joint effort, I am confident that we will be able to provide good impact in handling bush fires and peat fires," he said. The department recorded 6,099 fire cases last year, with the highest recorded during the dry season in March with a total of 853 cases comprising mostly bush fires and plantation fires due to open burning activities. Nordin said a total of 850 firefighters together with 111 fire engines and 98 utility vehicles are prepared to be deployed at any time in case of fires throughout the dry season this year. ADVERTISEMENT Meanwhile, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau in a recent report also warned of the El Nino which is expected to reduce the percentage of rain by between 20 per cent and 60 per cent and increase the temperature by 0.5 to 2.0 degree Celsius. On another note, Nordin said a lot has been learned from the last year, among which was that fire cases had never gone down in the State, particularly major fires involving water villages and squatter settlements.
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With this in mind, the State Fire and Rescue Department will be organising a seminar on "Fire Protection – Challenges and Innovations" at Shangri La's Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa on April 18. The seminar is supported by the Confederation of Fire and Protection Associations – Asia Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia to deliberate on the latest challenges and innovations and updates on latest practices, changes and implications. Nordin said international speakers as well as speakers from the authority and local professionals have been invited to speak and lead the forum discussions on the challenges and innovations in fire protection. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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"We are confident that knowledge and awareness can be channelled to participants which we hope can assist the department in bringing the objective forward," he said. He encouraged building owners, developers, architects, contractors and anyone who is keen on learning more to attend the seminar.