MIRI: The Air Unit Service of the State Fire and Rescue Department is seeking consideration of the state government to arrange for a permanent air base for the unit in Miri district here.
This is for the purpose of responding speedily to calls during emergency situations.
Such site will cater for not only for Miri but to the Northern area of Borneo in general, including Sabah.
“We have submitted application for a site or a permanent air base for the air unit services five years ago and have not yet received any response, and we hope that the state government could consider because our request to have a permanent air base to cater for emergency situations is not only for the Northern area but also covers Sabah and Labuan,” said Subang Bomba Air base Senior Fire Superintendent I Roslan Aziz.
Also present was Miri Bomba Zone 6 chief Supt Law Poh Kiong.
Roslan stressed out that Miri is the best and strategic location for the air base unit services as it is located between Sabah and Sarawak.
“We are lobbying Miri for the permanent air base unit services as it is conveniently located between Sabah and Sarawak and response times are usually much faster during emergency situations,” he said.
Currently, the Bomba Air Unit is renting and sharing an aircraft hangar with an offshore helicopter services company nearby Miri Airport here.
“With the increased demand for rescue operations, the needs to have a permanent air base for the Bomba Air Unit is crucial,” said Roslan.
Giving example on the rescue mission involving the Japanese climber whom they rescued on December 18 last year in Mount Mulu, Roslan said, the rescue mission has given a huge and positive impact on the State Bomba Air Unit services.
“We managed to respond fast on the rescue mission because of our location (in Miri) which is located not far away from Mulu,” Roslan reckoned.
He was speaking to a group of local media in Miri on Wednesday morning after witnessing the handing over of commendation letter from the Japan government to the State Fire and Rescue Department air unit for their successful mission in rescuing a 25-year-old Japanese climber, Akihiro Sado from Mount Mulu on December 18 last year.
Nine members of the Bomba Air Unit services crew received their respective commendation letters for the successful mission.
On another matter, Roslan also stated the State Bomba Air Unit services needed more recruits in making the service more efficient, effective and responsive.
“Currently, we have 16 crew members of (the State Bomba Air Unit services) and this is not enough,” he pointed out.
He added, they have submitted applications to the relevant Ministry (at the Federal level) to increase new posts.
“We therefore urge the government to approve new posts for the Bomba Air Unit services and priority should be given to Sabahans and Sarawakians..,” he pointed out.
He stated they had sent in a total 80 posts for the units and hoping that it would be filled up by those from Sabah and Sarawak.
