KUCHING: Six new fire stations throughout the state are expected to be completed by the end of this year at an estimated cost of RM42 million.
State Fire and Rescue Department director, Khirudin Drahman, said currently the state has 30 fire stations.
“With the completion of the new stations, the department will be able to provide a wider cover. Presently, five of the six stations are 90 per cent complete. They are in Belaga, Sibu Jaya, Batu Niah, Selangau and Daro,” he told reporters after officiating at the closing of a state-level Bomba Cadet Camping at the department’s multi-purpose hall, Jalan Setia Raja
According to him, the Daro fire station is expected to be completed this June. The firefighters will be assisted by auxiliary and volunteer firefighters.
As for Asajaya fire station the site is currently being surveyed.
Khirudin pointed out that the 36 fire stations would still be insufficient as at least 50 of them are required statewide.
“This figure is based in the department’s research analysis and assessment,” he said.
“However, this figure cannot be reached due to financial constraints on the part of the government.
“Therefore, our approach now is to engage the community more and make them more aware of fire safety. This is on top of enhancing training for our firefighters.”
He explained that this would require taking proactive measures by increasing the training of volunteers, also known as community firefighters, and providing them with fire-fighting equipment and facilities to enable them to become first responders during an emergency.
Khirudin also said such approach has proven to be effective as volunteers were able to control two recent fires that destroyed longhouses in Sibu Jaya and Miri.
About the Bomba Cadet Camping, the objective was to select a team to represent the state in a national level camping in Bachok, Kelantan.
A total of seven zones, namely, Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang took part in the programme.
