Delay in breaking of fast comes with the job for firefighters
Not having time for sahur (pre-dawn meal) or having to delay breaking of fast is normal for Fire and Rescue Department Malaysia employees as they work at odd hours of the day or night.
Despite this, it has never dampened their spirit to perform at their best.
Firefighter Noorjohaimi Johari, 36, from Tikam Batu Fire and Rescue Station, said he once had to break fast with only mineral water during a rescue operation at a factory in Kuala Lumpur a few years ago.
Noorjohaimi said he and his colleagues had just returned from a fire rescue operation at a factory, which lasted for four hours, when they received the emergency call.
“It was almost time to break fast. We rushed to the scene without bringing any food along.
“When it was time to break fast, we drank only mineral water, and continued with the rescue operation,” he said here.
Firefighter Wan Ahmad Wan Sulaiman, also from Tikam Batu Fire and Rescue Station, recounted an unforgettable incident which occurred a few years go when he was involved in a rescue operation involving a house on fire.
“The incident happened two days before Hari Raya Aidilfitri. It was heartbreaking to see all the festive preparations made by the family destroyed in the blaze.
“We did our best to douse the flames and had forgotten to take our
sahur. However despite these we could not save most of the family’s belongings,” he added.
Meanwhile, fire officer Abdul Rahim Abdul Hamid shared his experience of having to break fast after 9pm, following an operation during a fatal accident involving an overturned trailer four years ago.
“We received the call about 7pm, and the team had to rush out without taking any food or drink.
“We had to wait until the operation was completed before we could break fast.”