Igniting fire safety in the Bario Highlands

FLYING back from the Bario Highlands after participating in a transformative fire safety programme for highland communities, I could not help but reflect on the profound impact such initiatives have on rural and remote areas.
The State Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba Sarawak) had the honour to be a part of a special programme, named “Kita Selamat” which represents a concerted effort to address fire risks in homes and neighbourhoods.
The collaborative venture with Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) marked its second installment in 2023 as the inaugural programme took place in Miri in 2022.
I must commend the commitment and passion of Petronas Sarawak Operations in their corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts in promoting fire safety in Sarawak especially in the rural areas of Sarawak.
This year, the spotlight was on the unique locale of the Bario Highlands.
The response was overwhelming from the local community with 50 participants from 15 villages in the Bario area attending the programme from Nov 16 to 18.
The programme not only covered fundamental fire safety but also included sessions on CELIK S.U.R.I and Children Fire Safety (Kelab 3K) thus providing comprehensive exposure to the elements of fire danger and prevention strategies.

At its core, the programme emphasised a simple yet effective 3P – Precaution, Prevention, and Protection approach.
However, the key focus remained on the main beneficiaries, which are the people.
With the people in mind, the programme aimed to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to protect their communities.
As I navigated the bumpy ride back to Miri, it dawned on me that the understanding gained from this programme must be shared more widely across Sarawak communities.
The fundamental knowledge of fire safety involves delving into the intricacies of fire science, including ignition, growth, and development, the principles of fire propagation and fire hazard assessment.
Critical elements such as good housekeeping and maintenance were highlighted as integral components of fire prevention.
Fire, fundamentally a chemical reaction known as combustion, can spread rapidly, claiming lives within seconds.
Understanding the characteristics of fire and its potential to spread is vital for formulating effective strategies for life safety and property protection, ultimately reducing unnecessary burning and the release of carbon emissions.
To comprehend the science behind fire, one must recognise the Fire Tetrahedron, consisting of fuel, oxygen, heat, and chemical reaction.
Left unchecked, the chemical reaction can escalate a small fire into a catastrophic inferno.
Reflecting on the quote, “The world’s largest fires can be extinguished by pouring a cup of water at the right time,” it is crucial to remove one of the factors namely heat, fuel (fire load), or oxygen supply as it can effectively extinguish a fire.

Understanding the phases of fire namely ignition, growth, development, and decay can further equip individuals to respond effectively in critical situations.
Ignition, the initial process where fuel reacts with oxygen to generate heat and light, sets the stage for the subsequent stages of growth and development.
Decay marks the stage where the fire burns itself out due to a lack of fuel and oxygen.
The programme stressed the importance of fuel load, the amount of available and potentially combustible material and the concept of flashover, where all combustibles in an enclosed space ignite simultaneously.
Principles of fire propagation, including convection, radiation, and conduction, were also highlighted to provide a holistic understanding of fire dynamics.
In essence, the belief is that with the right knowledge, everyone, including those living in far-remote areas, can safeguard themselves from fire perils.
The last five years have witnessed a remarkable collaborative effort by Bomba Sarawak, strategic partnerships and community champions.
This has instilled confidence among communities, emphasising the critical nature of the first five minutes in tackling fires.
Awareness of the unsafe ABC (Attitude, Behaviour, Condition) and good housekeeping practices has become integral to ensuring community safety.
As such, education and knowledge are the keys to mastering fire safety.
The commitment to empowering communities with this essential knowledge will undoubtedly lead to safer and more resilient societies, ensuring that the lessons learned in the Bario Highlands ripple across Sarawak, lighting the path to a safer future for all.