The Fire and Rescue Department says 81 new stations are needed based on fire risk assessments to strengthen emergency response.
MELAKA: The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has identified the need to build 81 new fire and rescue stations nationwide based on fire risk assessments, in order to strengthen preparedness and improve the efficiency of fire service delivery.
Its director-general, Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohamad, said the JBPM currently operates 344 fire and rescue stations nationwide, while another 15 stations are under construction and are expected to be completed in stages in the next one to four years, depending on project complexity.
He said the department determined the need for new stations based on fire risk analysis for each 100-square-kilometre area, thus ensuring firefighting operations can be carried out optimally.
“Of the 81 proposed new fire and rescue stations, four have been suggested to be included under the Second Rolling Plan (RP2) of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), while the remaining 77 are still on the priority list, subject to financial capability and practicality of implementation,” he said.
He told reporters this after attending the opening of the Cheng Fire and Rescue Station, officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh and attended by Ministry of Housing and Local Government secretary-general Datuk Dr M Noor Azman Taib.
He said the need for the construction of fire and rescue stations will be dynamically reviewed in accordance with the progress of development in every state, including the opening of new industrial areas and transit-oriented development (TOD) projects, which have the potential of increasing fire risks.
In a related development, he said JBPM will advertise 522 vacancies this year, following approval from the Public Service Department (JPA) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to fill up 560 vacant positions.
He said that of the total, 38 positions will be filled through the existing reserve list for senior posts, while the remaining 522 positions will be advertised this year.
Meanwhile, Ab Rauf said the Melaka government will ask the Federal Government to approve the construction of three more fire and rescue stations in Selandar, Simpang Ampat and Kuala Linggi to strengthen security and accelerate emergency response times in the state.
He said the construction of the fire and rescue stations, especially in Kuala Linggi, is necessary since it is located at the northernmost part of the state, with the closest existing fire and rescue stations being the ones in Masjid Tanah and Port Dickson.
“The response time for firefighters to reach the area is about 20 to 30 minutes, that’s why we ask that the fire and rescue station in Kuala Linggi be given priority to ensure the residents’ safety is better safeguarded,” he said, adding that it cost RM4.4 million to build the state’s 11th fire and rescue station in Cheng.
