In today’s world, the importance of fire safety cannot be emphasized enough, especially for the younger generation.
While advancements in fire safety technology and regulations have been made, many Malaysians, especially Sarawakians, remain unaware of the dangers they face and how to mitigate them.
The root of this issue can often be traced to what is known as the “3’L syndrome”—Lupa (forgetful), Lalai (negligent), and Leka (complacent)—which reflects a broader cultural attitude of neglect toward fire safety.
This unsafe attitude is a key factor in many fire tragedies, yet it is one that education can and must address.
The question we must ask is: Are we educating our youth effectively enough to rise above these circumstances?
After every fire incident, we ask ourselves why it happened, how it could have been prevented, and whether we are prepared to prevent it from happening again.
Often, the answers are within our reach but remain elusive because of a lack of focus on fire safety education.
The youth are our future, and if we are to build a safer Sarawak, we must start by ensuring that the younger generation understands the importance of fire safety.
Knowledge plays a pivotal role in fire prevention and safety.
Educating young people not only empowers them to protect themselves but also instils a sense of responsibility toward their communities.
When children and young adults understand the risks, they are better equipped to recognize hazards, take preventive measures, and respond effectively to emergencies.
More importantly, they can spread this knowledge to their families, creating a ripple effect of awareness and safety throughout their communities.
A key aspect of fostering a fire-safe environment is instilling safety habits early on.
When children are taught the basics of fire safety from a young age, these lessons become second nature.
For instance, knowing how to use a fire extinguisher, understanding the dangers of electrical hazards, or even something as simple as learning how to “stop, drop, and roll” in case of a fire can save lives.
By integrating fire safety education into school curricula, we are not only preparing the younger generation for potential dangers but also embedding a safety-first mindset that can last a lifetime.
Moreover, young people are naturally inquisitive and quick learners, making them ideal candidates for fire safety education.
When taught properly, they can even take on the role of “first responders” in their homes, especially in rural areas where the Fire and Rescue Department’s (Bomba) response times might be slower due to geographic challenges.
Sarawak’s vast and often remote landscapes mean that communities need to be more self-reliant in the critical moments immediately following a fire outbreak.
The Fire and Rescue Department has been proactive in conducting community risk analyses and developing partnerships within local communities to evaluate and mitigate potential hazards.
However, a crucial part of this effort is the participation of young people.
By involving students and young adults in fire safety initiatives, we can create a community of young lifesavers who are prepared to take action in emergencies.
The department’s 3E model: Education, Engineering, and Enforcement form the foundation of its fire safety strategies, with education playing the most vital role.
Without education, even the best-engineered buildings and the strictest regulations would be insufficient.
Knowledge is the driving force behind fire prevention, and young people must be at the forefront of this movement.
The Fire and Rescue Department’s goal is to create a community of citizen lifesavers and risk assessors.
Given Sarawak’s size and the limitations in Bomba’s response time, the department has consistently emphasized the importance of local response within the first five minutes of a fire incident.
This underscores the critical need for well-informed and capable individuals at the grassroots level—individuals who can include young people.
Through four core strategic approaches and 47 national policies, Bomba aims to address major fire safety challenges.
These include increasing public awareness, fostering a culture of safety, improving building designs, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
But none of these efforts can be truly successful without the active involvement of the younger generation.
Sarawak’s future depends on equipping young people with the knowledge and skills needed to manage fire risks effectively.
By engaging the youth in fire safety education, we are not only preparing them to respond to fire hazards but also instilling in them the values of responsibility and community service.
One of the most pressing issues is the lack of exposure and experience in essential elements of fire safety, such as prevention, protection, and survival.
This is especially evident in rural communities, where fire safety awareness is often alarmingly low.
However, through targeted education programs, this gap can be bridged.
Education serves as a fundamental pillar of nation-building.
By focusing on fire safety education, we can prepare the next generation not only to protect themselves but also to contribute to a safer and more resilient society.
Schools, universities, and community programs must prioritize fire safety training, incorporating it into broader educational goals to ensure that students understand both the practical and ethical implications of fire safety.
In conclusion, fire safety education is not just a matter of public safety; it is an essential component of shaping a responsible and proactive society.
By teaching young people the importance of fire prevention and empowering them with the skills to act in emergencies, we are investing in a safer future for all Sarawakians.
As we work toward building a Total Fire Safety culture, education must be at the forefront of our efforts.
The youth of today will be the lifesavers of tomorrow.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Sarawak Tribune.
