The number of emergency calls made to the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department regarding fires has decreased this year, according to its director Datuk Khirudin Drahman. He attributed this decline to people seeking assistance from the department in other areas instead. Khirudin stated that approximately 30% of the calls received were related to fire incidents, while the remaining calls were for rescue missions and various other services. These rescue missions included requests for ambulances, incidents of drowning, and special services like catching snakes in homes.
Khirudin regarded the decrease in fire calls as a positive trend. He also mentioned that firefighters faced no issues with factory operators, as they are required to have an emergency response team on-site to handle fires and emergencies. The director credited the increasing public awareness about fire prevention for the salvage of more properties. He provided statistics from previous years, stating that the department recorded less than 10% loss in the previous year, 8% loss during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, and an increase to 18% loss this year due to community complacency. However, the implementation of increased fire prevention measures led to a drop in property loss to below 10%.
In order to further reduce fire incidents, the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department has collaborated with the media to disseminate detailed information on fire prevention measures and the appropriate actions to take during a fire. Khirudin highlighted the department’s intensified efforts in this regard.
Also in attendance at the event was Andy Alie, the Sibu Zone Fire and Rescue chief.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
