| Azlan Othman |
THE Fire and Rescue Department should continue improving and strengthening its firefighting capabilities to fulfil its role of taking care of the safety of the people. This falls in line with Vision 2035’s aspiration of enhancing Bruneians’ quality of life. The big challenge today is how the department can do so with limited resources.
These points were highlighted by the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong during the Fire and Rescue Department’s 57th anniversary parade at its headquarters in the Old Airport, Berakas yesterday.
The minister, who was the event’s chief guest, added that throughout last year, 130 building and house fire incidents were recorded, incurring losses amounting to a total of $7.6 million, while the total value of properties saved amounted to $16 million. The department also recorded 5,488 emergency incidents, comprising road traffic accidents; missing person cases; drowning; disaster-related emergency calls – ie reporting of landslides, blown roofs, etc; and other emergencies.
He advised the department to continue cooperating with other stakeholders to carry out their tasks efficiently and proactively.
These recommendations fall in line with the sabda made by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office as Chairperson of the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) – where he stressed the need for disaster management cross-cutting spanning the various jurisdictions as well as the role of stakeholders, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar added.
The minister also mentioned that in an effort to enhance the readiness of emergency operations, particularly the Fire and Rescue Department and the Ministry of Health, an Emergency Medical Ambulance Service (EMAS) – an ambulance integration programme catering to fire stations in Berakas, Rimba, Jerudong and Pengkalan Batu, as well as the 995 Operation Centre – was introduced on November 1, 2016.
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. – PHOTOS: AZLAN OTHMAN
Minister of Home Affairs
Fire and Rescue personnel during their 57th anniversary parade yesterday
Minister of Home Affairs presenting an award to an examplery Fire and Rescue personnel
“This service falls under the whole-government and whole-of-nation approach. The adoption of these approaches has helped overcome several issues faced previously as well as reduce government expenses. I hope that this initiative could be extended to other districts and used as an example for the other government agencies,” the minister added.
The minister later signed a commemorative plaque, viewed an exhibition on fire safety, and presented awards to 30 model fire and rescue personnel and fire stations.
The overall winner was SPARK Fire Station, grabbing all four award categories: operation, technical, planning and training, and administration and finance.
Twenty individuals comprising members from the public, government agencies, government schools and private sector also received certificates and tokens of appreciation for playing their part in assisting the Fire and Rescue Department during their operations.
Examples of these helpful acts include: putting out fires before the arrival of the Operation Unit; cooperating with firefighters in putting out fires; smoothening the department’s rescue operations due to having undergone the fire marshal course; providing assistance and help when during the department’s firefighting operations; and saving victims and property during fires.
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