LUNDU: The Sarawak government is taking proactive steps to improve fire safety and emergency response in rural areas with the planned formation of a Bomba Komuniti (Community Fire Brigade) in Kampung Rayu Iban, here.
Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said the initiative is a critical move, especially given the village’s distance from the nearest fire station.
“This issue has been raised in earlier meetings, and today I’ve been informed that the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) will work together with the tuai rumah (longhouse chief) to make the Kampung Rayu Community Fire Brigade a reality,” she announced during the closing ceremony of the ministry’s Gawai and Raya outreach programme held at the Kampung Rayu Iban longhouse on Wednesday.
Fatimah stressed the urgency of this initiative due to the high fire risk faced by longhouses.
“If just one door catches fire, the entire longhouse could be destroyed in seconds.
“That’s why it’s vital to train and equip the community as the first line of response while waiting for the fire team to arrive,” she said.
The Fire and Rescue Department had also conducted fire prevention briefings for residents as part of early awareness and preparedness efforts during the outreach.
Sharing her experience in Dalat, Fatimah said that many Sarawak communities are located far from fire stations, making community-based firefighting units essential for reducing disaster risks.
“I’m heartened to hear that Bomba is serious about following through with this plan.
“It’s not only practical but necessary for protecting lives and heritage,” she added.
The Community Fire Brigade will serve as part of the broader mission to decentralise safety initiatives and ensure rural communities are empowered and protected.
During the same event, Fatimah also said that the Department of National Unity and Integration has been asked to study the formation of a neighbourhood watch areas (KRT) in Kampung Rayu Iban to further strengthen social cohesion and grassroots safety.
