KUCHING: The establishment of the Bomba Community Team is an important initiative that gives local residents the opportunity to play an active role in the safety of the area.
Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Tan Kai said this team will not only assist during emergencies but also act as fire safety ambassadors who can educate and raise awareness in the community.
“MPP has organised today’s programme not only to raise awareness about fire safety but also to establish a Bomba Community Team and encourage the Fire Hydrant Community Adoption initiative.
“Fire safety is an issue that needs serious attention, especially in older residential and commercial areas.
“For example, the RPR Batu Kawa and Batu 3 areas are among the fire-prone areas identified in Kuching. We must be aware that a blaze can consume a home or building in just a few minutes.
“Therefore, we must be prepared with the knowledge and procedures to extinguish small to medium-sized fires in order to control the situation until the fire department arrives,” he said at the closing of the Fire Safety and Fire Hydrant Community Adoption Programme at Dewan Perpaduan RPR Batu Kawa on Saturday (Nov 23).
He hoped the knowledge gained through the fire safety talks, fire extinguishing demonstrations, and the Celik SURI (Sedia Urus Risiko Isi Rumah) session will enable the community to act swiftly and effectively during an emergency.
“Early action is key to minimising losses and saving lives and I hope that programmes like this will continue to be well received, like today’s, and that they will be expanded to other areas within the MPP zone,” he said.
Meanwhile, Batu Lintang Fire and Rescue Station chief, Mohammad Raffy Saibi said that organising such programmes can help the community learn how to deal with fire incidents.
“The function of the Bomba Community Team is similar to existing safety committees but focuses more specifically on fire safety,” he said.
He hoped the Bomba Community Team will always act as the department’s eyes and ears and serve as agents to educate the public about fire safety.
“The Bomba Community Team could serve as an emergency response team in the event of any disaster within their residential areas or villages,” he said.
