– extracted and adapted from RAKAN Sarawak July-September 2021 –
Over the past few years, the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) Sarawak has implemented wide-ranging development projects and programmes, including infrastructure development and community engagement.
In an email response to RAKAN Sarawak, the department noted that some of these projects and programmes are collaborative efforts between the department and constituency representatives, as well as Federal and State government agencies.
Infrastructure-wise, JBPM Sarawak have been constructing new fire and rescue stations across the State.
At the time of writing, completed and operational ones are located in Sibu Jaya and Selangau in Sibu, Bintangor in Sarikei, Belaga in Kapit, and Batu Niah in Miri. Meanwhile, stations in Lutong, Miri and Sungai Plan, Bintulu are in the midst of construction, whereas a temporary station is being utilised in Asajaya, Samarahan.
JPBM Sarawak is especially active in engaging with communities. It has helped rebuild eight houses in the last three years in Kuching, Padawan, Samarahan, Sibu, Bintulu and Lawas.
The department has also established new community-led teams; one of which is the Water Safety Council, which aims to expose and educate the community on water safety.
Another is Surirumah Urus Risiko Isirumah (SURI; literal translation ‘Housewives Manage Household Risk’) to provide targeted exposure and education to women or housewives regarding fire safety at home.
A recent key milestone for JBPM Sarawak was the launch of the Mountain Cave Search and Rescue (MOCSAR) team in July 2020 to enhance efficiency in search and rescue operations in Mulu National Park.
The volunteer firefighting team is responsible in carrying out search and rescue operations in mountains and caves, as well as extinguishing structural and forest fires.
Another was the first Sarawak Hybrid Seminar on Gas Operation Management at Domestic, Commercial & Industrial Building that was held in Miri in August 2021.
The seminar’s objectives, according to the department, included:
- Establishing legal interaction and communication between various agencies related to the safety of gas management and operation in Sarawak;
- Establishing coordination of duties and roles for every agency in enforcing rules and laws;
- Providing an elaboration on the source of authority of each relevant agency in gas operation in Sarawak;
- Ensuring that all agencies understand their roles and control of their respective agencies, and making certain that there is no duplication in enforcing existing rules and laws in gas operation management in Sarawak; and
- Establishing an understanding and facilitating solutions to problems faced by every agency in implementing its rules and regulations.
JPBM’s Presence in Sarawak
JBPM Sarawak are stationed across the vast, multi-terrain land of Sarawak.
Its headquarters, which is located at Tabuan Jaya, Kuching, consists of six divisions, namely:
- Firefighting and Rescue Operation Division
- Fire Safety Division
- Fire Investigation Division
- Training Division
- Management Division
- Engineering Division
Across Sarawak, there are seven zones encompassing 35 fire and rescue stations. Each zone is led by a Zone Chief, while each station is headed by a station chief.
The seven zones are Kuching Zone (six stations); Samarahan Zone (five stations); Sri Aman Zone (three stations); Sibu Zone (12 stations); Bintulu Zone (three stations); Miri Zone (four stations) and Limbang Zone (two stations).
Sibu Zone accounts for the most stations as it comprises divisions of Sibu, Mukah, Sarikei and Kapit.
Source: JBPM Sarawak
