Bomba personnel putting out peat fires during the dry season last year. File Photo
KUCHING: The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) have recorded 9,443 emergency calls throughout 2019 compared to 8,078 emergency calls in 2018.
According to Bomba state director Khirudin Drahman, 36 per cent of the calls involved fire cases while 64 per cent was for rescue work.
“There was a 44.6 per cent increase in fire cases and a 5.7 per cent increase of all recorded rescue cases from 2018 to 2019, although we believe this scenario will improve once the on-premises Fire Safety Organisation (OKK) is implemented,” he added during the State Level Annual Bomba Marching Ceremony at the department’s headquarters today.
He added that the appointment of assistant firefighters in high risk areas was fully implemented in 2020 in accordance with regulatory requirements under Act 341, the Fire Services Act 1988, amendment 2018.
During the event Khirudin also revealed that the death toll from the fire shows a 27.3 per cent decrease from 11 victims in 2018 to eight cases in 2019.
“The number of deaths from rescue operations in 2019 had however dropped by 14.1 per cent from 163 (in 2018) to 140 victims. The decline is due to the department’s strong efforts with its strategic partners in implementing public advisory and awareness programmes,” he said.
Bomba also recorded success in fighting forest fires throughout the state, especially in Kuching, Miri, Samarahan and Sri Aman during the forest fire season last year.
In this regard, Khirudin urged the department’s personnel to remain working on positive reforms so that they could stay at the forefront of emergency services in the event of fires, accidents, disasters and humanitarian services.
“The department must prepare and equip the emergency team with the best protection in the face of eradication, rescue and humanitarian work. While special teams of the department such as the Hazardous Materials Unit (Hazmat), Water Rescue Team (PPDA), Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) should enhance readiness in logistics, human resources and information flow,” he said.
He also said that the move is also to provide assistance to any need in a variety of settings, and to work closely with various agencies and national disaster management.
Also held during the event was the presentation of certificates of appreciation to Bomba personnel, local and electronic media and several individuals for their services and contributions.