James Kon
In an effort to implement efficient firefighting capabilities, a budget has been allocated to replace and repair fire hydrants. The Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) is in discussion with the Ministry of Development to install fire hydrants on highways to increase response time in dealing with bushfire or vehicle fire incidents.
The latest move to increase response time in combatting fire was shared by Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman, the guest of honour at the parade ceremony for the FRD’s 63rd anniversary celebration at Lambak Kanan Department’s Training Centre parade ground.
The minister also highlighted, “Recognising the importance of the need to increase preparedness and response effectiveness in handling fire incidents and rescue works, the Government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam through the FRD signed a lease contract agreement with Brunei Engineering, Logistics, and Training Solutions Sdn Bhd (BELTS) for the supply of 30 fire engines of water tender ladder (WRL).”
The signing of the agreement will increase the effectiveness and preparedness of the FRD in providing service and response time, especially in rescue works and extinguishing firesinvolving building structures and vehicles, as well as during natural disasters and other emergency calls, he said.
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin noted that the FRD carried out inititiatives to raise public awareness by providing programmes related to fire prevention procedures in the country.
The event also included appointing a fire marshal among government officers and staff in each ministry as an early response to emergencies and safety.
He revealed that there are 3,906 recognised fire marshals among government officers and in the private sector. However, the recognition of a fire marshal is only for three years, and they must follow the programme again to renew the certificate.
Initiatives that have been expanded to grassroots level through the mukim and village consultative council and educational institutions are providing primary fire prevention and rescue knowledge in the incidence of a fire at a mukim and the village. The role of the mukim penghulu and the village head is crucial to ensure the well-being of the citizens and residents is taken care of. the minister said.
Fire prevention briefing, LifeSaver 995, visits to fire stations, fire marshal courses, and fire drills, including programmes that are shared by other departments such as the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Preparedness Coordinator programme that is hoped to contribute to the level of community preparedness in addressing disasters during an emergency and instil public awareness on understanding disaster risk by taking the right and safe action before, during, and after a disaster has happened, he said.
The minister also inspected the parade line during the ceremony and witnessed a demonstration on extinguishing a vehicle fire using a fire blanket and combatting fire using water from the fire engine.
Legislative Council members, permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries, and the acting deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs and officials were present.
