Fires To Put Out

Phones are ringing off the hook at the operations room of the Johor Fire & Rescue Services Department, says its assistant director (operations) Mohd Rizal Buang (standing)

There are lives to save and fires to put out everywhere.  Owing to the current hot spell, Mohd Rizal shared with us that the department receives an average of 110 calls per day throughout Johor since the beginning of the year to now (Jan 1 to March 4).  In the same period, there were 49 prank calls.

The telephone operators at the operations room hardly have time to go for their lunch breaks.  So, please don't send the firemen on a wild goose chase.  The telephone operators are divided into 3 teams of 5 staff each.  One team will work from 8am to 8pm, another team from 8pm to 8am while one team gets to rest.

The department's priorities are to save lives, followed by buildings and the environment.  Do call the operations room immediately when you spot a fire.  Don't call out of boredom to chit-chat with the friendly firemen.

And if your vehicle were to catch fire --- there have been a number of cases of late due to the hot spell --- don't forget to also lodge a report with the fire department other than the police department.  The fee for lodging the report, which is essential to claim for insurance, is RM100.

That's all for now.  Weather's hot, drink lots of water to prevent dehydration.  It's also a weight loss strategy.