BY AINI SELIKANG
SARIKEI: The government will build more category E fire stations, to facilitate rescue operations, especially in the interior and rural areas of Sarawak.
Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said the fire station category was specifically for residents of longhouses far from the city centre.
According to her, the Julau fire station is the first of the category E type in Sarawak after the construction of such a station in Sabah.
“The initiative to build the E Fire station is very important to ensure that rescue operations in the village and longhouse areas can be carried out more effectively.
“The E Fire Station is smaller in size but has basic equipment. It will be assisted by a volunteer fire brigade and officers to lead the station,” she told the media after officiating at the Bintangor new fire station opening ceremony here today.
She said the existence of the new fire station was aimed at ensuring the comfort of the team in carrying out their duties as well as the more sophisticated facilities needed in line with the changing times.
The construction of the Bintangor Fire Station project worth RM7.9 million is a Category C Fire Station, which is also equipped with machinery space, parade ground, administrative office, logistics store and other related facilities.
It was led by an assistant fire superintendent grade KB 29, a senior fire officer I grade KB 24, along with three Senior fire officers II grade KB22, 13 fire officers grade KB19 and 13 auxiliary fire officers.
Apart from that, the Bintangor fire station is also equipped with a Mercedes Artego type rescue machine as well as marine vehicles such as rescue boats to perform operational tasks.
“With this new station, I am confident that the Bintangor fire brigade will be able to meet local security needs, besides helping to deal with emergency incidents that occur in the adjoining districts,” she said.
Earlier, Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) director-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Hamdan Wahid said that the construction of the Bintangor station is one of the efforts to strengthen a more effective and responsive fire service.
“As the main agency responsible for carrying out extinguishing and rescue duties, Bomba is always ready to deal with any emergencies such as natural disasters, accidents and so on,” he said.
Also present were Sarawak Fire Department director Khirudin Drahman; Julau Member of Parliament Larry Sng; Meradong assemblyman Datuk Ding Koung Hiing; Sarikei Member of Parliament Andrew Wong Ling Biu and Sarikei branch SUPP S=secretary Anthony Tan who represented Repok assemblyman Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii.
