A safety and fire briefing was held on Thursday for the residents of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Housing Scheme in Kampong Bolkiah ‘A’ and Kampong Bolkiah ‘B’.
Organised by the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, it was the charity foundation’s ongoing commitment to the safety and well-being of the local community.
Held at the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Kampong Bolkiah ‘A’, Permanent Secretary (Planning, Land Use, and Environment) at the Ministry of Development Dr Nor Imtihan binti Haji Abdul Razak, who also serves as the Acting Managing Director of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation attended the event.
The briefing was part of a broader initiative under the “Whole of Nation Approach,” aimed at fostering collaboration between the foundation and various government agencies to safeguard the community. This includes partnerships with the Ministry of Health, Brunei-Muara District Office, Fire and Rescue Department, and the Community Development Department.
In her opening remarks, Dr Nor Imtihan highlighted the importance of community involvement in fire safety, noting that proactive measures have been taken to empower residents. These include the activation of volunteer firefighters from among the residents of Kampung Bolkiah ‘A’ and ‘B’, who underwent “Life Saver 995” training in June and July this year.
As part of the event, 29 residents who successfully completed the training received safety vests and certificates. The safety vests were presented by Dr Nor Imtihan, while the certificates were handed out by Acting Deputy Director of the Fire and Rescue Department Shahrin bin Haji Mohd Jawie.
Fire and Rescue Department Superintendent Mohammad Sophian bin Haji Yusuff, Deputy Commanding Officer of Operations Branch ‘D’ at the Fire and Rescue Department, delivered a detailed briefing on fire safety measures, stressing the importance of awareness and readiness in the face of potential fire hazards.
A significant highlight of the event was the launch of a signage installation initiative for homes housing people with disabilities or bedridden patients. This initiative, led by Dr Nor Imtihan, began with the installation of the first sign at a home in Kampong Bolkiah ‘A’. The signage is intended to alert the public and ensure swift action in the event of an emergency, particularly a fire.
The event concluded with a fire drill demonstration, showcasing the correct procedures for evacuating occupants, particularly the elderly, disabled, and bedridden, in a fire emergency. – FADLEY FAISAL
