Kota Kinabalu: The construction of a fire station at Gunting Lagadan Hut, Mount Kinabalu will begin this August.
The Director-General of the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM), Datuk Seri Ts. Mohammad Hamdan Wahid said the station will serve as centre for 35 personnel of the Search and Rescue Team (Mosar) for the mountain and cave.
“The team is made up to experienced mountain guides who have helped a lot of mountain climbers in time of difficulty and need.
“The centre will also make it more comfortable for them to do their work and discharge their efficiency more effectively,” he stated.
He added that the building will include an operation room, training space, and storage space for equipment.
“Construction work will begin next month and should be completed by December if there is no unforeseen circumstances,” he told reporters after paying a courtesy call on the Yang DiPertua Negeri Sabah, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin at Istana Seri Kinabalu, Thursday.
During the call, Hamdan conferred the rank of Honourary Fire Chief Commissioner on the Head of State.
Commenting on the flood at Baling, Kedah recently, Hamdan said the Department was ready at all time to render its services.
“Among the preparations of our personnel is to positioning of assets at the frontline, continuous monitoring of the situation, and collaboration with other related government departments and agencies,” he said.
He added that his Department also from time to time conducts training and seminar for members of the public to increase their awareness and knowledge on what to do during an emergency such as flood and so on.
Present were the Deputy Director-General (Operations) of JBPM, Datuk Abdul Wahab Mat; the JBPM Director of Planning and Research, Kamarulzaman Malik Abdullah and the Sabah Director of JBPM, Abdul Razak Muda.
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