MIRI: It was a bright Saturday morning in Bekenu, and excitement filled the air as children from Tadika Kemas Kampung Bungai gathered for an unusual lesson – one that could one day save their lives.
Instead of pencils and colouring books, the pupils were greeted by flashing lights, gleaming helmets, and the unmistakable presence of the men in red from the Batu Niah Fire and Rescue Station (BBP Batu Niah).
For these children, aged five and six, the visit from the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia, JBPM) was more than just a lively morning out. It was an early lesson in courage, teamwork and awareness – qualities that define the spirit of the nation’s firefighters.
High-Impact Learning, the Bomba Way
At precisely 9:00 am, a fire engine rolled into the village compound, its siren briefly echoing through the morning calm.
Leading the team was PBK II Azalan, joined by PBK II Ladi, PBB Fadzli, PBB Fazmil and PBB Belayong – all experienced officers from Zone 6, JBPM Sarawak.
Their mission was clear: to conduct a fire safety awareness and evacuation drill for Tadika Kemas and the nearby pre-school in Kampung Bungai.
Four teachers, 26 pupils and about 30 parents gathered beneath the community hall’s veranda, eager to learn. The firefighters began with a talk that cut straight to the essentials – that fire safety starts with awareness, and awareness starts at home.
Lessons that Stay with Them
The morning began with a short briefing by the officers, who used simple demonstrations and child-friendly language to explain what to do in the event of a fire.
“Api kecil jangan main, cepat panggil orang dewasa,” one officer reminded, smiling as the children repeated the phrase eagerly.
Moments later, the officers staged a mock evacuation drill, complete with alarms and a light simulation of smoke. Teachers and parents played their parts seriously, guiding the children towards safety while the firefighters quietly assessed how calmly and efficiently everyone responded.
“The aim is to test readiness – not only among the children, but also the teachers and parents,” explained one officer. “When an emergency happens, every second counts. Knowing how to react can save lives.”
From Sirens to Smiles
Once the drill ended, the atmosphere lightened. The firefighters rolled out their equipment – hoses, helmets and extinguishers – giving the children a chance to explore, ask questions and even spray water under supervision.
Laughter echoed across the school yard as water arced through the air. For the children, it was pure fun; for their parents, it was a vivid reminder that these men and women in uniform were not only responders, but also educators and community partners.
“This activity helps us build a culture of preparedness,” said one teacher from Tadika Kemas. “Our pupils now understand what to do instead of panicking. Even the parents admitted they learnt something new.”
The firefighters also shared practical tips: how to maintain clear exit routes at home, the importance of installing smoke alarms and teaching children the emergency number 999.
Bridging Communities through Awareness
What stood out most was not just the drills but the connection formed between the firefighters and the villagers.
For many rural communities like Kampung Bungai, direct contact with emergency services is rare. Visits like these help bridge that gap and build lasting trust.
“Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility,” said PBK II Azalan, the team leader. “We want the children to see firefighters as friends, not just as figures in uniform. When they trust us, they’ll know who to call and what to do when danger strikes.”
The message resonated. Parents described the exercise as both educational and reassuring, saying it gave them confidence that their children now knew how to act in an emergency.
Part of a Larger Mission
The outreach forms part of JBPM Sarawak’s ongoing ‘High-Performance, Fast and Friendly Service’ initiative – or in its proud motto: ‘Berprestasi Tinggi, Cepat dan Mesra.’
Such community-based programmes are designed to cultivate safety awareness from an early age, ensuring that fire prevention becomes second nature. They also align with the national vision of ‘Malaysia MADANI’, which promotes unity, compassion and civic responsibility as central to the country’s progress.
Firefighters today are more than emergency responders. Across Sarawak, JBPM has expanded its outreach to schools, factories and residential areas, aiming to reduce incidents through education rather than reaction.
BBP Batu Niah, located along Sarawak’s coastal corridor, often covers remote settlements where access to emergency assistance can be delayed by distance or terrain. This makes community preparedness even more crucial.
“By the time we reach certain areas, the situation can already be serious,” one officer noted. “If people know how to act quickly and safely, they can minimise damage before we arrive.”
A Day They’ll Remember
As the session concluded at 11:00 am, the children gathered for a photograph with the firefighters – all smiles and excitement, many still clutching the miniature helmets they had been given.
It had been more than a drill; it was a lesson in confidence and awareness. For a few hours, the firefighters of BBP Batu Niah were not just professionals in uniform – they were teachers, mentors and role models.
In an era where disasters can strike without warning, such community engagement offers something priceless: preparedness born of knowledge.
For the children of Kampung Bungai, the visit left an impression that will endure – that safety is everyone’s responsibility, and that bravery begins with knowing what to do.
Because in every small voice that called out “Bomba datang!”, a spark of understanding was lit – one that could, one day, save lives.
