DG: Firemen increase level of preparedness following dry spell

PUTRAJAYA: In the face of possible forest and peat fires the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department has increased its level of preparedness following the current hot and dry weather sweeping across the country.

Its director-general Datuk Mohamad Hamdan Wahid said the number of personnel and logistical requirements in some states identified as fire-prone areas have been increased besides the leave of staff has been restricted.

“All fire stations near the risk areas have been provided with appropriate tools and equipment to deal with fires,” he told a press conference after the department’s monthly assembly here Friday.

According to him, portable and high-powered forest fire suppression equipment has been placed at certain stations to be deployed to the scene of the fire, as well as a hose with a special nozzle that can penetrate peat soil to extinguish smouldering underground peat fires more effectively.

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Mohamad Hamdan said helicopters were also on standby at the air bases in Subang, Selangor; Bertam, Penang; as well as Miri, Sarawak, in case the water bombing method was required to control fires.

According to him, Selangor, Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Pahang, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak have been detected to have up to five fire hotspots which require close monitoring.

The fire department has also sought cooperation from water management companies and the Irrigation and Drainage Department in these states to assist in providing water facilities, especially in areas inaccessible to fire engines, he said.

The increase in fire-related emergency calls received during the first three months of this year has also led the department to move up the fire preparedness level.

Of the 1,941 received in January, the number of emergency calls involving garden and plantation fires, forest fires, bushfires and trash fires has risen to 5,823 calls, he said.

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Earlier, Mohamad Hamdan witnessed the exchange of duties and promotion involving eight senior officers of the department, including former deputy director of the Perak Fire and Rescue Department, Sayani Saidon who was appointed as director of Kedah Fire and Rescue Department, becoming the first woman to be given the responsibility. – Bernama

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