KUALA TERENGGANU, 24 Jan 2018:
People are reminded not to be too obsessed with uploading live video of a fire on social media until they forget to make an emergency call.
Terengganu Fire and Rescue Department director Azlimin Mat Noor said such action would not only delay the rescue efforts but also could invite untoward incidents.
“If the distress call is received late just because people want to upload the live video (of the fire) on Facebook first, the possibility of the fire to spread and go out of control is even larger.”
Azlimin also urged the people to use the newly launched iBomba application, where public could contact the department to channel complaints or to obtain information and tips on safety.
In Kuala Lumpur, the capital’s changing landscape and rapid development has seen the Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) studying the use of robotic technology to facilitate rescue operations and access difficult areas during emergency situations.
Director Khirudin Drahman said the technology had been used by most developed countries – particularly to access difficult-to-reach areas such as the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) locations and Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (KL-SG HSR) project stations.
“We are approaching the use of the technology and have informed the government on the challenges faced by JBPM, as well as the safety measures that must be taken but it depends on the government’s ability as it will incur costs.
“This robotic technology can disperse thick smoke in an enclosed area and provides images from an inaccessible area at the scene of the fire as it is equipped with camera.”
He said JBPM was in the midst of conducting studies on metropolitan firefighting techniques to strengthen the skills among its personnel in the event of untoward incidents at MRT and HSR.
In the meantime, JBPM would also carry out night patrols at several focal points in the capital in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration from Feb 10, he added.
“The firefighters will patrol venues namely, KL Sentral, Central Market and Jalan Masjid India for two weeks to speed up the emergency response in case of a fire or any untoward incidents.”
In Penang, a total of RM7 billion worth of properties were saved by the Penang Fire and Rescue Department last year.
Deputy director Mohamad Shoki Hamzah said several factors contributed to the success including efficient firefighters as well as increased awareness among the public.
“The success can be attributed to the efficiency of our firefighters in carrying out the operations and controlling the fire from spreading.
“I would also like to thank the firefighters’ community and volunteers in Penang who are working hard to provide awareness on fire safety among members of the public, as well as their initial response in handling fire incidents.”
Throughout 2017, he said the amount of loss recorded in the state due to fire amounting to RM913 million.
Meanwhile in TUMPAT, the Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department saved RM86.8 million worth of properties, while losses incurred due to fire incidents amounting to RM23 million, said its director Nazili Mahmood.
He also said that eight of the 1,147 fire incidents occurred last year were found to have been caused by arson.
“Arson was identified by the department’s forensic unit as the cause behind fire incidents involving three shops, three houses and two vehicles.”
In ALOR SETAR, the Kedah FRD will set up a special team at every fire and rescue station statewide to handle venomous animals, especially snakes, as the department recorded a huge number of cases involving the dangerous reptiles last year.
Its director Abdul Razak Muda said a total of 1,129 cases involving snakes of various species including king cobras, cobras and pythons, were recorded last year in Alor Setar, Sungai Petani and Langkawi.
“The number of snake-related emergency calls have been increasing especially in residential areas near the forests and paddy fields, so we take the initiative to set up a special team to capture and store these venomous snakes.”
– Bernama