Speedboats for Sabah Fire Dept likely
Published on: Saturday, December 11, 2004
Kuching: The Government is studying the possibility of purchasing speedboats to strengthen the Fire and Rescue Department's logistic capabilities in Sabah and Sarawak.Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister, Datuk Robert Lau, said the Fire and Rescue directors of both states had been directed to forward proposals to the Government for consideration and approval.Speaking to reporters after opening the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department's RM14.6 million headquarters here, he said the proposal was made in view of geographical factors.
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"Some of the areas in Sabah and Sarawak cannot be reached either by land or air and are only accessible by rivers. We need speedboats for a more effective operation," he said.Lau said the problem was more critical in Sarawak as there are many longhouses in the interior.He said starting next year, the Government would focus on improving the management and training of the volunteer firefighters unit.With the restructure, the unit, with 15,000 volunteers nationwide, would be divided into two groups.
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"The first group comprises trained firefighting people who volunteer to be the unit members and who will be given training, equipment and allowances," he said, adding that presently the volunteers were not given any allowances.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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He said the role of the unit was crucial to assist in fire and rescue operations in areas where there are no fire stations.- Bernama
