Telang Usan rep urges households to own basic firefighting gear

MIRI (Oct 20): Telang Usan assemblyman Datuk Dennis Ngau is urging all households in his constituency to own a minimum of one basic firefighting equipment in their residence.

According to him, the firefighting equipment will help the residents fight the initial fire before the fire incident turns into a more dangerous situation.

“We should not wait for the government or other related departments to supply basic firefighting equipment.

“A fire extinguisher costs just over RM100, and I was told by a Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) personnel that a fire extinguisher can last up to 10 years if well taken care of,” he said.

Dennis said this in his address after donating firefighting equipment to Persatuan Bomba Sukarela Long Pilah at his service centre yesterday.

He added that his service centre had noticed an increase in fire incidences in rural Sarawak, and urged longhouses in his constituency to form their own firefighting organisation.

“The work of voluntary firemen is crucial as they are the first responders before Bomba personnel arrive on scene. Therefore, it is important to have voluntary firemen in every village.

“The nearest fire station is in Marudi, and waiting for firefighters to arrive is not effective in tackling such emergencies,” he said.

Meanwhile, speaking on Persatuan Bomba Sukarela Long Pilah, he said the organisation was registered in 2008 and currently has more than 100 members.

Among those present were Bomba Marudi operation officer Nadir Razali and Persatuan Bomba Sukarela Long Pilah chairman Laing Upon.