81 new fire and rescue stations needed nationwide

PETALING JAYA: The country needs 81 new fire and rescue stations based on fire risk assessments conducted by the fire and rescue department.

Its director-general, Nor Hisham Mohamad, said the new stations will help strengthen preparedness and improve the efficiency of fire service delivery, Bernama reported.

He added that the department determined the need for new stations based on fire risk analysis for each 100 sq km area, thus ensuring firefighting operations can be carried out optimally.

According to Nor Hisham, currently the department operates 344 fire and rescue stations nationwide, while another 15 stations are under construction and are expected to be completed in stages in the next one to four years, depending on the project complexity.

“Of the 81 proposed new fire and rescue stations, four have been suggested to be included under the 13th Malaysia Plan, while the remaining 77 are still on the priority list, subject to financial capability and practicality of implementation,” he told reporters after attending the opening of the Cheng fire and rescue station in Melaka.

He said the need for the construction of fire and rescue stations will be dynamically reviewed in accordance with the progress of development in every state, including the opening of new industrial areas and transit-oriented development (TOD) projects, which have the potential of increasing fire risks.

Separately, Nor Hisham said the fire and rescue department has received approval from the public services department (JPA) and the finance ministry to fill up 560 vacant positions.

He said of the total, 38 positions will be filled through the existing reserve list for senior posts, while the remaining 522 positions will be advertised this year.