Firemen sanitise public areas under nationwide exercise

KUCHING: The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Services Department in collaboration with local authorities conducted sanitisation work on eight public places throughout the state on Sunday (May 30).

Its director Khirudin Drahman said the exercise was conducted after they received instruction from the Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin to conduct large-scale nationwide exercise.

“This exercise will be held simultaneously in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri. About 100 personnel will be involved in the programme focusing on public spaces.

“As of May 29, our department have conducted a total of 4,749 public sanitations throughout the state,” he told reporters when met at Masjid India yesterday.

Apart from that, the department also conducted humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations by sending food aid to those in need.

To date, a total of 485 missions were successfully carried out using the department’s assets including helicopters and boats to deliver food aid to rural areas under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO).

“Starting tomorrow, we will start assisting the Sarawak government and the Social Welfare Department (JKM) to deliver food aid to those who have requested it, especially in the northern region of the state.

“We are the only department that have the capabilities to carry out these missions and the people have put their trust on us,” he explained.

On another note, Khirudin assured that his men have strictly adhered to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) in all its missions, especially during the recent flood season.

“All temporary flood evacuation centres (PPS) under the department’s supervision, have adhered to the SOPs and every flood victim also complied with the rules. “Hence, the community are advised to continue complying with the rules set and in light of this coming Gawai Dayak festival, I hope the community will not forget about the 3L (Lupa, Lalai dan Leka),” he said.