BETONG: PKR Betong chief Vernon Kedit and PKR Deputy chief Noel Bucking paid a visit to the Betong Fire Station and the site of the razed shophouses here yesterday.
At the visit, Betong Fire Station Operations Officer Henry Jugah briefed them on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of the station, as well as the difficulties faced by the station in terms of equipment, vast locality of operation and inadequate staffing.
Kedit said the concerns raised by the Betong Fire Station will be brought to the attention of the federal Housing and Local Government Minister.
Kedit also hoped the state government to not neglect its duties to monitor public safety agencies by relegated all responsibilities to the federal authorities.
According to him, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas as the State Disaster and Relief Committee Chairman must be more alert and proactive in ensuring a comprehensive programme of post-disaster relief.
Meanwhile, Bucking who was a former senior officer of the State Planning Unit, said the issues faced by Betong Fire Station is likely faced by other suburban fire stations in the state.
He proposed the state government should not overlook prioritising development of suburban public safety agencies.
According to Jugah, a team from the Kuching Fire Department will be taking charge of the investigation as the blaze was classified as a case of ‘100% burnt’.
He said the Fire Department will work in tandem with the police in ascertaining the cause of the fire.
PKR will follow up and monitor closely the findings of the investigation to ensure precautionary and preventive measures are taken by the state government.
