Liew on a Bomba visit

KOTA KINABALU, July 14, 2010: State Assemblyman for Likas, Datuk Liew Teck Chan, yesterday, led a delegation comprising the local community on a courtesy call to the State Fire & Rescue Department (Bomba).

The call, which was also a study visit, was to find out fire prevention measures and causes.

Liew, who is also Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) deputy president, was also briefed by the department's director Khirudin Drahman on the importance of fire hydrants for putting out fires as well as saving lives and properties.

As such, the general public are responsible as well to look after these fire hydrants in their respective areas to ensure these facilities are functioning and avoid being misused by people to steal water.

Khirudin disclosed there have been cases of fire hydrants being misused by certain individuals although the situation is not serious.

"We have discovered a few cases of people stealing water from hydrants. They install pipes to the hydrant and then plant flowering plants around the hydrant to cover the illegal connection," he said.

According to him, this year, the department uncovered two of such cases in Kampung Kalansanan and Kapung Penampang Baru along Jalan Sulaman here.

He pointed out that most of the cases in Sabah involved residents in squatter colonies, unlike in Peninsular Malaysia where the stealing water from fire hydrants in the past two years were done by factories.

"We understand that the villagers need water supply but they should not steal from water hydrants. They should go through the proper channels for their water supply," he stressed.

To this end, he urged community leaders such as the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) to monitor the fire hydrants in their respective areas and look out for water thieves.

"In fact they can also ensure that the fire hydrant is in working order and also not blocked by structures or vehicles," he said and proposed that they apply to be a "Teman Pili Bomba" where they adopt a fire hydrant in their area and take care of it.

Khirudin recently disclosed said that the department's target is to get 750 participants of the scheme this year.

"We have received 120 applications so far and are confident that the target can be achieved," he said adding that there are a total of 15,822 pillar and ground fire hydrants throughout the state.

According to Khirudin, hydrants are important source of water in the event of a fire because a fire engine only carries about 800 gallons of water which is enough to bring the fire under control.

He said that once the fire is under control will the actual fire fighting be done which is why it is important to have an alternative water source such as the hydrant or large areas of water such as drains, lakes, rivers or the sea.

During the meeting, Khirudin also disclosed to Liew and his delegation that the department is constantly conducting fire safety programs especially to students as young as those in kindergartens.

"We want the children to be able to react positively when there is a fire because it is normal reaction for them to hide when there is a fire," he said adding that this year, out of the 13 fire related fatalities recorded, four involved children under the age of 10.

He also expressed his worries about parents who frequently leave their young children unattended at home.