KAPIT: Residents in rural areas are encouraged to establish Volunteer Firefighter Teams (PBS) to handle emergencies in their communities.
Senior Fire Officer Budiman Salbia stated that PBS can serve as the first responders during emergencies such as fires and flash floods.
“Since fire stations are typically located in urban areas, it often takes time for us to reach affected residents due to the remote and difficult-to-access locations of the disasters and the nearest station,” he said.
He said this during a Safety Briefing Programme organised by Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) at Rumah Dapong, Nanga Antawau here recently.
Meanwhile, local community leader Penghulu Bawang Majau expressed his strong support for such programmes, which aim to raise awareness among rural residents about basic actions to take during emergencies. He also hopes that a PBS can be established in the area.
The programme was officiated by the Bukit Mabong District Officer, Jabang Juntan, and attended by several agencies and residents from the Nanga Antawau area.
