| Rokiah Mahmud |
IN COMMEMORATING its 56th years of service to the nation, the Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) yesterday held a grand parade at the marching field of the FRD headquarters, Old Airport Berakas.
In an interview on the sidelines of the event, the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, said in ensuring the compatibility of the roles, duties and responsibilities of the department’s personnel, the FRD needs to be equipped with more knowledge and skills as now they are facing uncertain and unpredictable situations derived from changing lifestyles and rapid development.
The minister added that starting 2016, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented for the Fire Safety Order 2016 to boost provisions for the FRD to ensure fire safety and related matters.
FRD has its own mission and vision that need to be accomplished, and at the same time it needs to tackle the alarming number of fire cases that increased by 15 per cent in 2015 compared to 2014.
Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong inspecting the guard of honour
Minister of Home Affairs delivering a speech. – PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR
Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong speaking to the media
Therefore, the department needs to constantly equip itself with knowledge and skills in combating the challenges, the minister said.
At the same time, the minister advised members of the public to understand and acquire knowledge on how to prevent fires at their houses as well as commercial buildings.
“Inspections conducted by the department have found that there are some premises where fire exit is blocked by putting stuff at the area. This makes evacuation difficult during times of emergency,” he pointed out.
“These emergency exits need to be cleared at all time.
“Maybe people might not consider it as important, but, from fire safety perspective it is vital,” he added.
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