Fire and Rescue Dept gets additional assets to face floods

PORT DICKSON: The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) will be getting additional assets to face possible f loods anytime now.

Its director-general, Datuk Wira Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim said the additional assets were 100 lorries, 95 four-wheel drive vehicles and 50 aluminium boats.

“These additional assets cost RM40 million. All these assets are in the processed of being delivered to us and will be despatched throughout the country,” he told reporters after opening JBPM’s Firefighting and Innovation exhibition in Dataran Sri Kemang, Teluk Kemang here yesterday.

He said currently the department had 100 lorries, 4-WD vehicles (150) and aluminium boats (600) and that the additional assets were needed in the wake of the devastating floods in the country last year.

In HULU TERENGGANU, Hulu Terengganu District Youth Council (MBDHT) chairman Nik Azman Nik Abdul Razak said its 250-strong Terengganu Disaster Volunteer Squad was on standby to help out in the event f loods broke out in Terengganu.

In DUNGUN, Rural and Regional Development Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Ibrahim Muhamad said all agencies under the ministry had been instructed to be on standby to help out in case floods broke out, especially in rural areas.

In KOTA BAHARU, Kelantan Disaster Committee deputy chairman Datuk Makhtar Mustapha said all departments and agencies responsible for handling f lood disasters were in a state of readiness.

He said in terms of logistics, the Committee had made available 75 lorries, 277 4-WDs, 168 boat, 23 vans and two helicopters.

He added that there were 729 flood relief centres in the state and that 170 forward bases were in place for quick response. – Bernama