Forest fires in Tutong

Numerous forest and bushfires occurred in Tutong District last Thursday (17 April 2014, Thursday). Among the areas affected was around Tutong Town, Lubok Pulau and the largest is in Telisai.

The Telisai forest fire occurred since morning at the beachfront forests however by midday the strong current and hot weather spread the fire towards the villages. By 2pm the fire had destroyed several hectares of forests and bushes from Simpang 1532 until Simpang 1638. The concerned villagers then alert the fire rescue department which later dispatched a team of firefighter and two fire engines from Tutong Fire Station led by Deputy Station Officer (DSO) Mohd Hanafi.

The firefighters had to divide themselves into two teams where a team conduct offensive firefighting to extinguish the blaze while another team conduct defensive firefighting by damping the vegetations surrounding the nearby houses. They also had to face several difficulties such as thick vegetation and the fire which occurred deep in the forest.

As the Telisai blaze is brought under control another fire occurred near Semaun Aquaculture Complex in Sungai Paku which causes a team of firefighters rushed to the scene while another keep the fire under control.  

Bushfire in Telisai

A bushfire destroys a bushes and a plantation in a bushfire which occurred recently (Sunday 6 April 2014) in Telisai Village, Tutong. The fire which occurred around 4pm is suspected due to the hot and dry weather condition in the area. A team of firefighters in a fire engine from Tutong Fire Station rushes to the scene after receiving emergency call from the villagers. They had to take swift action in order to prevent the fire affecting several houses at the area. The fire also caused the nearby main road covered by smoke. The firefighters managed to control and extinguish the blaze several minutes later.

RBAF Ford Ranger tactical ambulance

Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) operates several Ford Ranger tactical ambulances. The tactical ambulance is used to provide first aid as well as for evacuation at areas which is inaccessible to domestic ambulance. The ambulance can carry one or two casualty if need arise as well as equipped with typical medical equipment.

FRD celebrates 54th anniversary

In conjunction with its 54^th anniversary, Brunei Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) last Tuesday (1 April 2014, Tuesday) held a parade and appreciation day. The ceremony was held at the FRD Training Centre, Lambak Kanan.

Present as guest of honour was Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman, Minister of Home Affairs. Also present was Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Lailaraja Mejar Jeneral (R) Dato Paduka Seri Hj Awang Halbi bin Hj Mohd Yussof, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, MoHA permanent secretaries Dr Hj Affendy bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Awang Hj Abidin and Dato Paduka Hj Abdul Majid bin Mangarshah as well as other FRD officers and guests.

The event started with the mass parade consists of male and female officers and personnel from all the FRD branches in the four districts followed by the speech by the guest of honour. The guest of honour then presented the awards to the exemplary fire stations as well as to the exemplary officers and personnel and members of public who contribute to FRD.

This ceremony concludes with the group photo session of the guest of honour and the FRD officers and personnel which forms the number 54 to symbolize the 54^th anniversary. The guest of honour, deputy minister and the permanent secretaries then greet the formation of the FRD officers and personnel who participate the parade.

Blood donation in Tutong FS

In conjunction with its 54^th anniversary the Brunei Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) this morning (26 March 2014, Wednesday) continues its blood donation drive. The event was held with cooperation from RIPAS hospital Blood Bank at Tutong Fire Station, Operational E command.

Present as special guest to the event was Senior Superintendent of Fire Rescue (SSFR) Tahir Hj Muktal, Operational E command Commanding Officer. The one day blood donation saw the participation of officers and staffs from the E command headquarters, Tutong and Lamunin fire station as well as members of the public. Among the objective of the event was to celebrate the FRD 54^th anniversary as well as bind ties with the public through community oriented activities.

The event concluded with the presentation of certificates to donors which was presented by SSFR Tahir Hj Muktal.

Bush and forest fires in Mukim Lumut Liang

Sungai Liang firefighters recently busy extinguishing the forest fire in the "pipe road" opposite to the Brunei LNG (BLNG) entrance road in Lumut, Belait. The operation which had begin yesterday (11 March 2014,  Tuesday) saw the firefighters trying to extinguish the fire which had already destroyed the forested areas near the road.

In a visit last Wednesday (12 March 2014, Tuesday) firefighters from Sungai Liang fire station can be seen trying to contain the peat swamp fire which are burning beneath the surface. Thus they had to flood the affected area using the portable pump and monitor. Fortunately there are small river at the site which provide water through the operation. The fire is said to be caused by the current hot and dry weather condition.

According to the firefighters they had to travel inside the forest along with their equipment such as fire hoses, what they worried is that the smoke from the peat swamp fire as it can cause limited visibility to the nearby road if the fire source is not controlled and flooded.  They also will be on standby at the site in the morning in order to control the blaze and minimise the smoke emitted from the fire. While at night they had to hold the operation due to the risk from the terrain and dangerous creatures such as snake. 

Meanwhile at another incident a bushfire occurred in Sungai Bakong area in Lumut Village, Belait. The fire which occurred around 2:45pm caused the nearby main road are covered with smoke.

A team of firefighters in a fire engine from SPARK Fire Station arrived at the scene and managed to extinguish the blaze which had ravaged several hectares of grass and bushes at the Sungai Bakong riverbank. The quick action also saved the nearby forest behind the Lumut Primary School. Similar incident also occurred at Simpang 638 (pipe maintenance road), Lumut as well as in Sungai Mau village. Those incidents are caused by the current hot and dry weather condition. 

Seria FS holds open station

Hundreds of Belait District residents last Wednesday (12 March 2014, Wednesday) flocked to the Seria Fire Station, Seria Town for the Open Station in conjunction with 54th anniversary celebration of the Brunei Fire and Rescue Department (FRD).

The open station was the continuation of similar event which was held on 9th March, present as special guest to the event was Awg Hj.Haris bin Othman, Belait District Officer. Also present was Senior Superintendent Fire Rescue (SSFR) Abd Azis bin Hj Mohammad, B Operational command commanding officer, Awg Hj.Jamail bin Hj.Linap, Penghulu of Mukim Seria, FRD officers as well as guest from Belait District government departments and private companies.

The event started with the guest of honour inspecting the parade of Seria Fire Station personnel followed by a group photo session. The guest of honour then viewed several programmes during the events such as the Senior Citizen care programme facilitated by Operational B command and Department of Community Development (JAPEM), Belait District for mukim Seria.

The guest of honor then continues to view the special exhibition with several themes such as fire engines and special appliances exhibition, fire safety, technical and high angle rescue, Hazardous Material (HAZMAT), water rescue and three exhibition from fire safety equipment vendors. The special guest also entertained by the special performance by FRD band as well as high rise rescue demonstration.

For the visitors various activities are held such as fun fair, life air pack jump, turntable ladder (TTL) ride, flying fox, exhibitions and band performance. The exhibition is held by several FRD sections such as Diving Unit (Berakas Fire Station), fire bikers, SPARK Sg Liang Fire Station and FRD band.

Meanwhile at other section of the station the Senior Citizen care programme which was held by B command (Lifesaver 995) and JAPEM Belait continues for the Mukim Seria. The event was facilitated by Dyg Noridah Ishak from JAPEM Belait and Station Officer (SO) Muhamad Ali Hassan. They were briefed on the facilities provided by JAPEM as well as fire safety at home and workplace. The senior citizen are also given chance to use the fire extinguishers and fire blanket to extinguish fire.