The Fire and Rescue Department ready to battle fires
Published on: Monday, March 11, 2024
By: Jeremy S Zabala
Nor Hisham and Abdul Razak during the officiation of the programme.
Kota Kinabalu: The Fire and Rescue Department – particularly in Sabah – will be on high alert especially during the El Nino phenomenon.
Its Director General Datuk Ts Nor Hisham Mohammad said the department is aware of the current drought season, which could lead to bushfires across the State.
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Noting that this is an unpredictable situation, he said the department is not only trained to face such challenges but also always prepared to respond to the situation to ensure that it would not worsen.
“We have issued instructions to all personnel to be prepared in terms of logistics, equipment, volunteers and financial standing (to combat bushfires).
“In terms of manpower, this will be left to the discretion of each State Fire and Rescue Department. The department could be operating on either a 12- to 24-hour shift or freeze personnel leave,” he said.
Nor Hisham said this during the Fire Safety Campaign with Community Firefighters, Water Safety Activity and Emergency Response Team (ERT) programme at Likas Stadium, here.
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Also present were Federal State Secretary Datuk Makhzan Mahyuddin, Sabah Fire and Rescue Department Director Abdul Razak Muda and Sabah National Security Council Director Datuk Noor Alam Khan A Wahid Khan.
Nor Hisham also said necessary coordination was carried out with relevant departments and agencies to ensure that all hands are on deck throughout the drought season.
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He said this includes collaboration with departments such as the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), State Water Department and Department of Environment (DOE).
He also said this is vital for the department to carry out operations swiftly and efficiently when emergencies such as bushfires occurs in any part of the State.
At the same time, he instructed respective State Fire and Rescue Departments to coordinate with oil palm plantation operators by ensuring that their plantation water level are maintained as per Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification or Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) requirements.
In the event of fire, he said drains or fire breakers with sufficient water level would play a vital role in ensuring that fire will not spread, which could lead to disastrous results.
“This is to ensure that if we can maintain the water level in drainage and ditches, especially in the forest or open space, it can prevent the fire from spreading further in an event of an open burning or bush fire.
“This can be achieved if they (oil palm plantation operators) can control their water check dam within their compound,” he added.
Nor Hisham also commended the State Fire and Rescue Department for their initiative to continuously carry out awareness programmes and campaigns involving fire safety.
He said such programmes are aimed at educating premises or organisations to carry out the necessary action by establishing their own ERT.
“Through these programmes, we (department) can ensure that the organisations are able or capable of responding to situations that require rescue operations or first response towards fire.
“So, these trainings are important for us to gauge the teams (involved) to identify improvements that could be made. But the most important part of the programme the effectiveness (of training) that can be understood through their participation,” he added.
He also said the programmes throughout the years have shown that awareness and understanding on the importance of an ERT establishment in respective organisations have shown to be increasing.
The number of participation increased from 87 teams (2023) to 127 teams this year – a growth rate of 70 per cent.
“This shows that the employers or organisations in Sabah are committed towards the importance of early intervention, and this should be commended,” he added.
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