Department spent RM2.5 million repairing 2,599 fire hydrants

SIBU: Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department ( Bomba) spent RM2,537,419 to repair 2,599 fire hydrants between 2011 and 2016.

In disclosing this yesterday, state director Nor Hisham Mohammad said the major damages included broken fire hydrants, leakages, grout and damaged spindle valves.

“Last year, Sarawak Bomba spent RM400,951 to repair 202 units of fire hydrants,” Nor Hisham said.

Turning to vandalism involving chamber covers of fire hydrants, he said 3,283 units went missing last year.

As for outlet pillar thread/cap, 1,011 units went missing in 2016.

To minimise damage to fire hydrants, various steps had been taken such as repairing damaged fire hydrants close to occupied houses so friends of fire hydrants can keep a hawk’s eye to keep out vandalism and look after the equipment.

The department had cooperated with auxiliary firemen, community Bomba, school Bomba cadet, village security and development committees (JKKKs), friends of fire hydrants community and premises designated with fire certificates to carry out periodic inspections of fire hydrants.

Bomba had deployed a task force to repair hydrant parts that were damaged or stolen.

“In 2016, 205 fire hydrants were repaired so that they could function using alternative hydrant adapter,” Nor Hisham said.

Towards this end, friends of fire hydrants had played important roles as their members are mainly auxiliary firemen, community Bomba and village heads.

“Friends of fire hydrants have 7,385 members with 845 members registered in 2016 across Sarawak,” he said.