By Norrasyidah Arshad
SUNGAI BULOH, April 10 — The Selangor government becomes the first state to donate a Fire Rescue Tender (FRT) truck to a Volunteer Fire Brigade (VFB).
State executive councillor for human resource development Mohd Khairuddin Othman said the RM160,000 fire engine is contributed by the state government-linked company Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd and is handed over to the Saujana Utama VFB to facilitate its operation in helping the local community.
“This area (Saujana Utama) has a population of 80,000 people but the nearest fire station is quite far from here and it will take some time (to get here) if there is an emergency.
“So, with this handover, we hope the VFB can immediately help the public not only in fighting fire but also in other cases,” he said at the handing over ceremony of the FRT truck at the Kuala Selangor District Council (MDKS) hall in Saujana Utama here last night.
The Paya Jaras assemblyman also asked MDKS to gazette the VFB station site as soon as possible so that a more well equipped and comfortable building can be built.
“The Selangor Menteri Besar’s policy has provision to facilitate site application process, especially on the payment of premiums, if it involves the interests of the people such as on education, security.
“So we hope the government agency will take this opportunity to apply (for the site), if it is really needed. This is not a problem (to approve),” he said.
The donated FRT truck has the capacity to store 3,000 litres of water, in addition to having large compartments to load items needed for rescue operations.
