BAU: The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) recruits auxiliary firefighters from local communities based not only on where they live but also on their specialised skills.
This is to enable faster and more effective emergency response, particularly in rural and remote areas.
Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Tiong Ling Hii said auxiliary firefighters are selected from within a 25-km radius of their assigned fire station to ensure they can report for duty quickly when emergencies occur.
“We adopt the locality-based approach because most Category D fire stations are located outside urban areas and do not provide staff quarters.
“That is why we recruit local residents, and they can respond quickly whenever they are called to the station,” he said.
He said this to reporters during the commissioning ceremony of auxiliary firefighters at the Malaysia Fire and Rescue Academy Sarawak Region in Bau today.
A total of 21 recruits were commissioned as auxiliary firefighters and will be stationed at their respective stations near their hometowns.
“The recruits are also chosen for their knowledge and expertise of their local surroundings, allowing them to better support rescue operations.
“Hence, each auxiliary firefighter brings unique expertise that complements our operational capabilities,” he said.
Tiong noted that auxiliary firefighters are primarily stationed at Category D fire stations, where they perform the same firefighting and rescue duties as full-time firefighters during operations.
“However, they are not authorised to operate heavy fire engines or utility vehicles,” he added.
Furthermore, newly commissioned auxiliary firefighters underwent a 10-day basic training programme and will continue to receive regular training at their respective stations as part of the department’s continuous training programme.
Currently, Bomba has 363 approved auxiliary firefighter posts statewide, with 330 positions filled after the latest intake of 21 recruits, leaving 33 vacancies yet to be filled.
