TUARAN: The Fire and Rescue Department will acquire 100 additional fire trucks next year, according to director general Datuk Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim.
He said the acquisition of the new machines would allow the department to achieve its target of having at least two fire engines to every fire station in the country.
“We have wanted to reach this target for quite a while now as part of our effort to enhance the department’s service reliability. At least, if one of the fire trucks breaks down, service will still be provided with the other truck.
“Both trucks could also be despatched to the scene at the same time if required, or could be used to attend to separate cases at the same time,” he said to reporters after officiating at the Station Chiefs and Zone Heads Seminar at the INTAN Campus here yesterday.
Also present were deputy director general (Rescue and Operation) Datuk Mahadi Mohd. Ali, Sabah director Nordin Pauzi, Sarawak director Norhisham Mohamad and Labuan chief Zainal Madasin.
Wan Mohd Nor said the department currently has 262 fire stations and about 400 fire machines nationwide.
He said a newly completed RM8.5 million fire station in Kinabatangan would start operation early next year.
The station is the 21st to be built in Sabah.
To further improve the fire and rescue services in Sabah, he said a Hazmat fire fighter machine had also been delivered to the State.
Every state is now equipped with a Hazmat machine, which is specially utilised for handling situations related to dangerous chemicals, leakages and so on,” Wan Mohd Nor said.