Shorter response time means more lives, properties saved

SARIKEI: The efficiency of the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) is determined by the time taken in responding to emergency calls.

This was stressed by its director-general in his message to his personnel in conjunction with World Bomba Day which fell on May 3.

His text of speech was read by Sibu Zone Bomba Chief, Mutalib Abd Rashid when officiating at the district-level World Bomba Day celebration here yesterday.

“Like it or not, the main factor to determine the efficiency of our service is response time. Shorter response time means better chance in saving lives and properties.

“However, the response time also depends very much on the distance between the station and the scene of fire or accident,” he said.

He thus said the department now realised the importance of setting up more stations and recruit more manpower to shorten the response time, which unfortunately involved huge sum of money.

As an alternative, he said the department was proposing to the ministry to set up category D sub-bomba stations in addition to the existing category A, B, and C stations.

The proposal involved the setting up of 150 sub-stations to be manned by 15,000 auxiliary firemen by 2020 in addition to the 270 existing Grade A, B and C stations manned by 15,000 fulltime officers and 350 voluntary bomba units nationwide manned by 15,000 members.

On another matter, the DG advised his officers to be thankful to the government for the good things and benefits accorded to them.

For instance, the firemen were provided with living quarters totalling 4,500 units but only 60 per cent of them were occupied.

Besides, they enjoyed free medical treatment which was also extended to their parents, wife and children, ex-gratia scheme for those involved in accident and insurance coverage, he said.

During the function yesterday three firemen received long service medals from Mutalib. They were Lawrence Lugap who has just retired, Wong Sie Ngie and Kibong Banta.

Among those present was District Bomba chief, Salim Hussain.

SYMBOLIC HANDOVER OF DUTY: Wan Edenin (left) exchanges document with Mohd Saufi witnessed by Mundaw (centre).

THANKSGIVING: Madang (fourth left) greeting some of the GOF personnel during the thanksgiving dinner as DSP Said (third left) looks on.

HAPPY RETIREMENT: Mutalib (centre) presents long service medal to Lawrence (right) while Salim looks on.

KEEP IT UP: Mutalib presents long service medal to Kibong (right) as Salim looks on.