Tutong Operation Capacity Drill

Residents and shoppers at Tutong Town this morning (11 March 2013, Monday) was shocked to see smoke rising from the no.10 shop at Jalan Enche Awang. This was followed by the arrival of firefighters from the nearby Tutong Fire Station to conduct firefighting and rescue operation.

However the scenario above was part of the operation capability drill series which was held in conjunction with the 53^rd anniversary of the Brunei Fire and Rescue Department (BFRD).

Present as special guest to witness the drill was Hj Ali bin Matyassin, Acting Chairman of Tutong Municipal Board. Also present was Yahya bin Hj.Abd Rahman, Director of Fire Rescue, senior officers from BFRD, Tutong Police District, Tutong District office as well as Tutong District penghulus and village heads and representatives from educational institutes and private sector.

The drill started with the recital of Al-Fatihah by the Tanjong Maya Mosque followed by the starting of the drill where a fire outbreak was reported to the Tutong Fire Station through BFRD hotline 995. Three fire engines and a fire boat with nearly 30 officers and firefighters from Tutong and Lamunin fire station was dispatched to the scene. Following the arrival of BFRD at the scene was police personnel from Tutong Police Station, paramedics from Tutong PMMAMB hospital and media representatives. The drill was coordinateda and led by Station Officer (SO) Yahya from the Tutong Fire Station.

During the drill the Tutong Operation E command showcases various firefighting and rescue techniques such as the ladder rescue, high rise firefighting using fire hoses and ground monitor and forcible entry gear for blocked windows. Among the highlight of the drill was the aerial rope rescue which was coordinated by a group of firefighters where among them was 52 year old Senior Fireman (ABK) Mos. The drill concluded with the group photo session with the special guest and BFRD senior officers.

Also during the drill the guests and public are shown on building evacuation and the importance of selecting the right safety grille for windows as the safety grilles which are not approved by BFRD can delay the rescue effort by the firefighters.

The operation capacity drill which was held since 2011 was BFRD initiative in exposing its officers and firefighters with various scenarios such as building fire, water rescue and hazardous material (HAZMAT) incidents. Beside that it also a BFRD way in order to expose to the public the firefighting career and create awareness to the public on the importance of fire safety in line with its motto “Creating a safer tommorw”.