Fire Dept salvaged properties worth RM25 billion last year
Published on: Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Labuan: Swift action by the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department helped salvage properties worth about RM25 billion from going up in smoke or damaged by floods nationwide last year.In 2013, the department salvaged properties worth about RM12 billion.Despite its outstanding achievement, fires caused an estimated damage totalling RM2.8 billion last year as compared to RM1.9 billion in 2013.ADVERTISEMENT The department's Deputy Director-General, Datuk Amer Yusof said it was constantly identifying weaknesses for improvement to ensure rescue operations were executed smoothly.He said a total of 99,830 calls on fire were made last year – the highest ever recorded – as compared to 68,280 in 2013. Selangor recorded the highest number of emergency calls at 15,628 last year, while Labuan recorded 608.He said this at a press conference after launching the Business Licensing Electronic Support System and the presentation of excellence service awards to Labuan Fire and Rescue Department personnel here, Monday.For Labuan, it was estimated that RM37 million in properties were salvaged as compared to RM123 million in 2013.ADVERTISEMENT Losses were recorded to the tune of RM1.4 million last year while in 2013, it was RM690,800.Amer said the commitment and dedication of firemen were clearly demonstrated during the worst floods to hit Kelantan, Trengganu, Pahang, Perak and Perlis, last year.
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This was acknowledged by the Prime Minister, praising the firemen for their courage in overcoming obstacles to save lives and delivering of relief aid to the victims, he said."Although many of our personnel were themselves victims as their houses were submerged under water, they put duty above self after they had evacuated their families," Amer said this before presenting special awards of excellence to 14 personnel.To be an exemplar, one must give his life to something bigger than himself, he told the rank and file as the department aimed to be a high performance organisation."We have to be well-prepared to face bigger challenges ahead by giving nothing less than the best," he said.Siti Fajar Husen had the distinction of being the first woman from Labuan trained in Hazard Material (Hazmat). She received her badge from Amer. She and three male colleagues – Azri Abdullah, Zainul Arifin Lamsil and Mohd Zulhilmi Lamit - underwent training at the Fire and Rescue Academy, recently.The four now strengthened the Labuan Hazmat Team to 21, while the Storm (Special Tactical Operation Rescue Malaysia) had a force of 14. The new Storm members who received their badges from the Deputy Director General were Nasrullah Attu, Irwan Sinan, Ajery Michael and Dahlan Aslim.Labuan Fire Director Zainal Madasin, Jakarail Isdael and Masari Ardan were awarded certificates for putting in 30 years of service.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Yahya Omar and Soludin Dunding, who were approaching retirement, were also recognised.Meanwhile, Amer announced that the new Labuan headquarters, costing RM23 million on a 14-acre site would be completed by end 2017.