SANDAKAN: A Category C Fire and Rescue Station will be built in Gum-Gum under the first rolling plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) to strengthen fire and rescue service coverage in the Sandakan district.
Libaran Member of Parliament Datuk Suhaimi Nasir said the Madani government’s initiative was timely in ensuring wider fire service coverage to meet current needs.
“The need for a fire station in Gum-Gum, within the Libaran parliamentary constituency, has been consistently raised in Parliament, and I welcome the government’s decision to proceed with the project,” he said.
Suhaimi was speaking after officiating the Fire Safety Awareness Campaign, Water Activity Safety Council (MKAA) programme, One Home One Fire Extinguisher (RAPI) campaign, and the commissioning of the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Community Fire Brigade for the Sandakan Zone at the Asmaulhusna Mosque compound in Kg Tinusa 2, here.
During the event, Suhaimi presented a vehicle key replica for the community use of the Karamunting Volunteer Fire Brigade.
He also officiated the launch of a fire extinguisher collection point, or “fire point”, at the Masjid and donated 10 fire extinguishers to the Majis. He further pledged to place fire extinguishers at every bridge in Kg Tinusa 2.
The initiative aims to enhance residents’ preparedness to respond to emergencies before rescue personnel arrive.
Suhaimi also encouraged every household to own at least one fire extinguisher for the same purpose.
On the establishment of a Community Fire Brigade in Kg Tinusa 2, he said would help local residents respond to emergencies more effectively.
Earlier in his speech, Suhaimi stressed that everyone has a role to play in improving fire safety by ensuring household electrical wiring is in good condition and by keeping access routes clear for fire engines during emergencies.
He noted limited road access and the location of water villages mean firefighters may require more time to reach the scene of an incident, making early action by the community crucial.
Meanwhile, Sabah Fire and Rescue Department director Mohd Pisar Aziz said the Community Fire Brigade in Kg Tinusa 2 would assist in containing fires at the initial stage while awaiting the arrival of firefighters.
He said the Community Fire Brigade initiative is part of the department’s transformation efforts to engage more closely with communities by delivering fire safety information and awareness on residential premises.
“Members of the Community Fire Brigade have been trained by JBPM to control small fires and manage the initial stages of emergencies before firefighters arrive.
“Sabah currently has 491 Community Fire Brigade teams comprising 6,889 members. In the Sandakan Zone alone, there are 47 teams with a total of 589 members,” he said.
Mohd Pisar said preventive measures and community preparedness could significantly reduce the risk of loss of life and property, particularly in water villages where houses are closely built and highly susceptible to fire.
He explained that densely packed wooden houses, narrow access routes and the location of villages over water allow fires to spread rapidly, making a high level of public awareness essential.
The selection of Kg Tinusa 2 as the programme venue was appropriate, he added, as the village had experienced several fire incidents, including one on March 19, 2024, which destroyed two houses and a vehicle.
In a related development, Mohd Pisar said many residential fires recorded were caused by negligence, including electrical wiring that failed to meet specifications, excessive electricity usage and leaking LPG gas hoses.
“Every home should be equipped with a portable fire extinguisher to enable immediate action before firefighters arrive. Public awareness is the first line of defence in protecting families from fire,” he added.
Mohd Pisar also reminded the public to protect fire hydrants and refrain from vandalising or sabotaging them, as they are critical during firefighting operations.
He said damaging or obstructing the use of fire hydrants is an offence under Section 26 of the Fire Services Act 1988 (Act 341).
Also present were Sabah Fire and Rescue Department director Mohd Pisar Aziz, his deputy Lizalman Abu, Sabah JBPM Sandakan Zone chief Jasri Ab Jal, Kg Tinusa 2 village chief Pangeran Bidin Timbang, Asmaulhusna Mosque chairman Jeffri Ambo, and Kg Tinusa 2 Neighbourhood Watch Committee chairman Shima Tajuddin.
