Over 60 fire stations in poor condition nationwide

TEMERLOH: The Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry has identified more than 60 fire stations in dilapidated condition that requires upgrading and reconstruction at a new location throughout the country.
Its minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said most of the fire stations were old or located in shop buildings that were no longer suitable due to the rapid growth of the area.
"Most were built before the towns or areas are developed, so when it is developed and the population increased, we should review the suitability of its location.
"So far the ministry has identified more than 60 fire stations to be removed from the shop building area and to be rebuilt in new places within five years," she said.
She said this at a press conference after officiating the opening of the Bukit Angin Fire and Rescue Station, costing RM14 million that was completed on Sept 13, 2013, here today.
Also present were the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Mentek, Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director-general Mohamad Hamdan Wahid, state JBPM director Datuk Abdul Wahab Mat Yasin and Temerloh MP Anuar Tahir.
Zuraida said those were among the 240 new fire stations to be built in stages within the time frame to further strengthen JBPM in order to face increasingly challenging tasks.
"To date, a total of 44 new fire stations are under construction nationwide, in which 27 will be completed this year, 11 are scheduled to be completed next year and six more stations in 2020, estimated cost for each station is RM14 million.
"Currently, JBPM had 290 fire stations nationwide with a strength of 14,000 personnel," she added.
She said the ministry would also strengthen the capacity of volunteer firefighters throughout the country as the early response team for rescue and firefighting at the scene before the arrival of the JBPM team. — Bernama