KUCHING: The Sarawak Fire Department will have more boats and four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles soon, courtesy of the Malaysia Fire Department.
“Sarawak has 36 fire stations, the most in Malaysia, so the fire assets need to be increased by zone,” Director-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Hamdan Wahid told the media at the Sarawak Fire Department Headquarters here yesterday (Oct 18).
Here on a working visit, he explained that additional assets and logistics would depend on the approval of the central agency. Nevertheless, they would be distributed to Sarawak fairly.
“When we make purchases (of assets and logistics), we will distribute them accordingly to the states like Sarawak. For example, when we buy boats, we will give some to Sarawak.”
Director-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Hamdan Wahid on a visit to inspect the Bomba’s preparation for the coming landas season. He is accompanied by Sarawak Fire Department director Datuk Khirudin Drahman. Photo: Ghazali Bujang 
Hamdan added that his department had proposed to buy small boats locally, which would be managed by Sarawak Fire Department director Datuk Khirudin Drahman.
The Malaysia Fire Department would also distribute several four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles for use in areas with challenging topography.
“Recently, we acquired 100 4WD vehicles. We will be sending some to Sarawak accordingly because the state’s topography is a little different.
“For example, if we use large machinery in Kapit, the journey may not be smooth. That is why we need 4WD vehicles which are able to adapt well to the topography,” he explained.
On personal protective equipment (PPE), Hamdan pointed out that everything had been fully provided to Sarawak. The Sarawak Fire Department now had several new fire-resistant suits, he said.
