Newer, bigger fire station planned, awaiting approval
MIRI: A plan to expand Miri Fire and Rescue Department ( Bomba) station is in the discussion stage for approval of building plan and design.
According to its chief, Law Poh Kiong, once the design has been finalised and the cost determined, an application for funding would be forwarded to the federal government.
“We already have the design for the station, but it still needs to be approved by our headquarters. At the moment, we are still discussing the matter.
“Once the design and cost are known, our headquarters will forward the application for funding to the federal government,” he said.
Law said this in reply to questions and suggestions from Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin who proposed that the station be upgraded to include better facilities, including a turntable ladder ( TTL) for fire cases involving high- rise buildings.
Lee said it was about time the station was upgraded in terms of facilities, amenities and building size, to cater for the growing needs and increasing population.
Law, meanwhile, said that the plans to upgrade and widen the station had long been in the works and an application letter for the upgrading project had also been sent to their headquarters.
“Once we have upgraded the station, we can apply for the 16- foot turntable ladder, which the present station cannot accommodate.”
The present station is located on the a two- acre land, which is limited. Hence, the upgraded building will have higher ceilings to accomodate the TTL.
Lee said there was a plan to build another station in Miri somewhere between Tudan and Senadin.
He said the department had applied for a piece of land to build the new station from the Land and Survey Department.
“We are still waiting for a response from the department, for the new location,” he said.
Earlier, Lee chaired a meeting between the shop owners who are affected by a shophouse fire on July 25 and Miri Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( MCCCI), Bomba, police, Miri City Council and Miri District Office.
Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting, Mayor Adam Yii, district officer Abdul Aziz Mohamad Yusuf and Law were among those present.