Len (second left) assisted by Suna trying out a fire extinguisher during a demonstration.
SARIKEI: Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Promotion of Technical Education) Datu Len Talif Salleh said the Fire Point and Fire Prevention Campaign of Fire and Rescue Services Department (Bomba) let the people know the causes of fires, consequences, prevention and knowledge of basic firefighting.
“Without such knowledge, victims panic while their neighbours become bystanders during a fire,” he said.
“I believe basic firefighting knowledge, fire safety tips and fire prevention measures acquired through the programme are handy for people to know how to use fire extinguishers and execute basic fire safety and evacuation,” he pointed out. Len said in the past, people called the nearest Bomba station and waited for the arrival of the firemen.
“But now with fire extinguishers at strategic locations in villages and longhouses under Bomba’s Fire Point programme, fire talks and demonstration, people have become early responders to fires while waiting for the arrival of firefighters,” Len said at a leader with the people gathering in conjunction with a Fire Point and Fire Prevention Campaign organised by Sarikei District Bomba Station and Sarikei Division Special Affairs Department (Jasa) at Kampung Seberang Multipurpose Hall here yesterday. Len reminded the people to identify any fire risk to their premises and equipment and rectify the problem.
He advised the people to refrain from open burning during the dry spell. Len announced a RM5,000 grant for District Bomba Station to hold more such programmes for people in their area of jurisdiction.
According to District Bomba chief Suna Kaha, 77 fire extinguishers were distributed among the village headmen and chairmen of the village security and development committees (JKKKs). Suna left it to the village chiefs to identify where to put the fire extinguishers, and suggested that a fire extinguisher be allocated to every sixth house.
Among those present were Sarikei Disrtrict Officer Khalid Andong, a political secretary to the chief minister, Dayang Raoyah Abang Adeng, Sarikei Jasa officer Ahmat Adai and Temenggong Junia Olia.