KUCHING: Pupils from Chinese kindergartens and primary schools throughout Sarawak will take part in the Children Fire Safety Champion programme.
Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA) Sarawak director Datuk Khirudin Drahman said the programme will be conducted in Mandarin to help the Chinese community to acquire knowledge about fire safety.
He said organisers of the programme, a collaboration with Yayasan Farley and Fire Prevention Council of Malaysia (FIPCOM), have a team of people eager to share their knowledge, skills, and experience to help build a fire resilient community.
The programme will kick off with the participation of SJK Chung Hua Batu 10 Kota Padawan and SJK Chung Hua Sungai Tapang MJC.
“We notice that the Chinese community often shy away from our programmes. This is perhaps due to the fact that our officers conducting the programmes are Malay speakers so there may be a language barrier.
“FIPCOM chief trainer Lim Kim Leng has worked with me before during my time in Kuala Lumpur and he is an excellent Mandarin speaker who will assist in this programme.
“The strategic collaboration with Yayasan Farley and Lim Kim Leng will enhance our capabilities to reach out to all communities, especially the Chinese community, because we do not want them to be left out because of language problems,” he told a press conference at Farley Kuching yesterday (Aug 19).
Khirudin said the programme will disseminate information on fire safety to the local communities, especially school students.
Stressing that safety is a responsibility that must be shouldered by all, he said the department is very serious about educating the public on their roles and responsibilities when it comes to fire safety.
“We hope to reduce the number of unnecessary fires and death by fire incidents through engagements and programmes like this.
“The first five minutes during a fire is very critical and the people play a very important role in containing the small fire so that it remains small and controllable.
“However, panic is always the culprit in an emergency which is why we want to educate the people on how to take immediate and correct measures,” he said.
Khirudin disclosed that the public can also visit the Batu Lintang Fire Station to learn more about BOMBA and fire safety.
He said the fire station acts as the department’s community learning centre (CLC) and it welcomes the public to visit it.
“We have education and informational pamphlets available at the CLC, the public can also speak to our officers to learn more about fire safety as well as our roles and responsibilities.
“We are eager to see families and schools come over as it is part of our efforts to build a fire-resilient community,” he added.
