KUCHING: Fewer fire cases were reported in Sarawak in the week preceding Chinese New Year (CNY) this year (Jan 24-31) compared to the week preceding the festival (Feb 4-11) in 2021.
Fire and Rescue Department state director Datuk Khirudin Drahman said yesterday (Feb 2) 23 fire emergency calls were received this year against 26 calls in 2021.
“Based on our statistics for the weeks before the CNY festival for 2022 and 2021, there were a decrease in the number of fire emergency calls.
“The fire emergency calls involving various property that showed a decrease are: vehicles – seven calls (2021), three calls (2022); swamps/lalang – one (2021), zero (2022); garbage – eight (2021), seven (2022); others – six (2021) three (2022).
“On the other hand, fire emergency calls that showed an increase are: premises and items inside – three calls (2021), four calls (2022); equipment – one (2021), two (2022); gas – zero (2021), one (2022); farms/gardens – zero (2021), three (2022),” he said.
Khirudin said there were no fatalities for the periods under review.
On damages to property, the fire chief said an increase in public awareness on fire prevention (being prepared with fire extinguishers) and fighting methods played an important role in helping to minimise loss of property.
“This can be seen in the fires which have occurred at places such as at Ben Bali longhouse in Tapang, Ujan Ulu Ibus, Mudong, Sarikei (on Jan 28) and Seruai longhouse, Kampung Baru Spaoh, Betong (Jan 30) which caused only slight damages,” he said.
On public sanitisation operations, he said they were carried out based on the standard operating procedures fixed by his department and the Ministry of Health (MoH).
“At the department level, the operations are still carried out especially at the epicentre (positive and active areas).”
With regard to Bomba’s efforts to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, Khirudin said his department was stepping up measures based on policies and guidelines laid down by MoH.
