THROUGHOUT 44 dedicated articles under my special column ‘Bomba and Beyond’, I have shared insights and developments on Sarawak’s journey towards embracing the Sarawak Community Total Fire Safety approach.
I am heartened by the tremendous response and growing awareness demonstrated by Sarawakians.
It is evident that the collective mindset on fire safety has evolved significantly, underpinned by a deeper appreciation that fire safety is not solely the responsibility of enforcement agencies – it is a shared duty.
From the outset, our emphasis was clear: fire safety is everyone’s responsibility.
The positive reception to this principle has reinforced our belief in the power of collective ownership.
We advocated for a holistic approach, one that involves individuals, families, institutions, and communities working together towards prevention and preparedness.
A key aspect of this strategy was the integration of fire safety principles into the design and construction of buildings, in line with comprehensive building ordinances.
By designing for fire safety success, we aimed to embed safety at every stage – from planning and development to occupancy and maintenance.
We also recognised the critical role of education and early awareness in achieving long-term results.
Programmes introduced at Functional Community Learning Centres were designed to empower the younger generation with knowledge and practical understanding of the Total Fire Safety Approach.
These efforts reflect our belief that sustainable fire safety begins with informed citizens, equipped not just with information, but with the conviction to act.
As we progressed, it became increasingly necessary to shift the narrative on fire safety.
We formulated new frameworks to promote collective action in preventing fire incidents.
Communities across Sarawak were invited to participate in targeted empowerment programmes, including Teman Pili Bomba, Bomba Komuniti, Celik S.U.R.I. (for housewives), and the Pasukan Bomba Sukarela.
These initiatives created grassroots-level champions – individuals trained and ready to serve as first responders within their neighbourhoods.
From Telok Melano to the Lawas border, including remote highland and riverine settlements, we ensured that no community was left behind in our mission to achieve Total Fire Safety.
The goal was to foster a culture in which Sarawakians see themselves as Fire Safety Champions, embodying a mindset anchored in precaution, prevention, and protection.
To this end, we launched programmes to promote understanding of fire safety imperatives, reinforcing a critical message: safety must never be compromised for profit.
Fire prevention is a moral and civic obligation, and the cost of negligence can be devastating – not only in terms of property but in human lives.
We must also acknowledge that building resilient communities goes beyond mere participation.
It requires endurance, dedication, and the willingness to persevere – through blood, sweat, and tears – to build the confidence necessary to face adversity.
Changing mindsets remains a challenge, but one that must be addressed through the ASKED approach: Awareness, Skills, Knowledge, Empowerment, and Determination.
This framework encourages a proactive stance in disaster readiness and aligns community behaviour with long-term safety goals.
The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) continues to bear the responsibility of creating awareness and providing education on emergency mitigation.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to establishing a culture of safety, ensuring that the people of Sarawak are not only safe but know how to stay safe.
Achieving this requires close collaboration between all stakeholders – government, Bomba, and the communities we serve.
Fire safety must be viewed as a collective enterprise that demands commitment and compliance across all sectors.
Comprehensive fire safety initiatives can only succeed if all parties are fully committed to implementing and upholding the programmes.
Effective communication and coordination are key.
Open dialogue between the authorities and the public, built on trust, transparency, and mutual respect, is essential to ensuring that initiatives are successfully executed.
Leadership plays a critical role.
Beyond mere commitment, it takes visionary leadership to drive cultural change and inspire collective resilience.
Strong, disaster-resilient communities are anchored by leaders who not only believe in the cause but who are equipped with the necessary resources and empowerment to carry out their responsibilities.
These leaders serve as role models – local heroes capable of responding decisively before incidents escalate.
Community involvement, therefore, must go hand-in-hand with strict adherence to emergency protocols and a strong emphasis on responsibility.
The journey to mitigate fire-related incidents in Sarawak is a continuous one.
It is a shared commitment that requires education, pre-emptive measures, and unwavering adherence to safety regulations.
The Total Fire Safety Approach we promote is comprehensive in nature, encompassing prevention, detection, control, and response.
It spans all phases of building life – from design and construction to operation and adaptation – ensuring fire hazards are addressed at every level.
Preventive measures include identifying fire hazards such as electrical faults or flammable materials, implementing control mechanisms, and educating individuals on best practices.
Passive fire protection encompasses structural fire resistance, compartmentalisation, and the use of fire-resistant materials to limit spread.
Active fire protection refers to detection systems, suppression equipment, emergency lighting, and communication tools that provide early warnings and facilitate swift responses.
Emergency preparedness involves evacuation plans, clear signage, regular drills, and the presence of trained fire wardens to guide effective evacuations.
All these components must be supported by a robust fire safety management system.
This includes regular risk assessments, audits, inspections, and compliance with fire regulations, coordinated with qualified fire officers.
Furthermore, fire safety must be integrated from the earliest stages of design and revisited periodically throughout the operational lifespan of a building to accommodate changes in use or function.
The benefits of such diligence are profound.
A robust fire safety system reduces the risk of fatalities and property loss, ensures legal compliance, promotes a culture of safety within our communities, and strengthens continuity in both domestic and commercial sectors.
In conclusion, the journey toward mitigating fire risks in Sarawak depends on collective resolve.
As encapsulated in our guiding motto since 2018 – “We want to see you before the fire, not after” – our focus must always be prevention and readiness, not response alone.
When individuals, communities, authorities, and leaders work together with a clear understanding of the responsibilities and frameworks involved, we can transform Sarawak into a region where fire hazards are significantly reduced and safety remains a shared priority.
Let us continue to move forward, together, with unwavering commitment.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at khirudin.drahman@bomba.gov.my.
