Fire Dept plans to station helicopter in Sabah

NABAWAN - Malaysia Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) is in talks about the process of obtaining a helicopter to be stationed in Sabah.

However, Sabah JBPM director Abdul Razak Muda said he was still looking for a suitable location to be used as a base.

“We are looking for a suitable base. The process is underway and it maybe a rental (base).

“I can’t promise it, maybe next year, but there are plans.

“The fire department is in the process of obtaining another helicopter but it is unsure whether it will be the Mi-171 or the Agusta.

“For the humanitarian mission today, we use the Mi-171 helicopter as it is more suited to carrying heavier loads,” he said when leading the humanitarian mission sending food supply to Pensiangan through air transport here on Wednesday.

He was previously asked to comment on the JBPM light aircraft to be stationed at the state for the use of humanitarian missions that were done.

The humanitarian mission carried around 11 tonnes of food supplies to be distributed among the people around Pensiangan using the Mi-171 helicopter based in Miri, Sarawak.

When asked to comment on the pilot to operate the aircraft, he explained the JBPM team would surely have its own pilot to be stationed in Sabah.

“Basically, the trained pilots would be all over Malaysia, wherever they are, they must be stationed in Sabah if we already established a base and helicopters.

“Sabahans do not necessarily have to become the pilots,” he explained.

When asked about Sabah JBPM’s preparations to face the floods in the state, Razak said the state department had been prepared since last year.

“Recently we faced the flood in Beaufort, but it’s under control and we expect the prevalence of floods in Sabah and Sarawak to come later compared to the Peninsular.

“The Peninsular would usually starts somewhere between October, November and December, but Sabah may start in November and sometimes would continue towards February.

“This year there should be a dry season, but if you notice throughout the year, we’ve had rain and we have been preparing since last year,” he said.

He added from a preparation standpoint, it became a priority and even Sabah JBPM received many contributions including from NGOs and the Sabah state government itself.

“Last year we received a large contribution from NGOs who contributed a suitable boat for the floods.

“The boats that firemen had were suited for the sea and large rivers, but proved to be difficult as floods required a different vessel.

“Last year we received 10 boats and this year the state government is promising to give 15 boats, I will take this opportunity to thank the Sabah government,” he said.