IN THE last five decades of its establishment, the Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) has successfully overcome many obstacles and challenges, enabling it to provide efficient and excellent services to the public.
This was highlighted by Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Home Affairs, during a grand parade yesterday, celebrating 56 years of the FRD’s establishment.
In his speech, the minister also emphasised on the need for more efficiency and expertise at the FRD, in order to be better prepared for complex situations.
In 2015, the FRD received a total of 5,066 emergency calls, showing an increase of 15.4 per cent of fire damage to private and public properties, compared to 214 cases in 2013.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, has given his consent to the Fire Safety Order 2016, which provides regulations on fire safety for public and commercial premises.
Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong in a group photo with senior government officials and personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department. – BAHYIAH BAKIR
“It is important that the public abides by the regulations that will be enforced in the near future,” said the minister.
At the same time, the FRD is actively organising seminars and fire drills, as part an ongoing campaign to boost awareness among members of the public.
In view of this, the minister called for more active participation from members of the public as first responders at the scene, to validate the effectiveness of the FRD’s fire safety campaign.
- Borneo Bulletin Online. April 10, 2016.
