Various developments and progress have been achieved by the Fire and Rescue Department, especially in their duty and responsibility for maintaining public safety and well-being. Among them, an increase in the number of people who pay close attention to the safety of property and lives. The Minister of Home Affairs said the public awareness and safety programmes carried out by the Fire and Rescue Department have received an encouraging response. Last year, over 21 thousand participants from government agencies and the private sector have participated in various public awareness programmes such as briefings and Fire Drills in addition to the appointment of over 1,500 fire marshals. The programmes have already shown results in which the public's involvement also helps in extinguishing small fires before the arrival of firefighters. Speaking at the Fire and Rescue Department's 61st Anniversary Celebration yesterday morning, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Doctor Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong also stated the achievement in 'Response Time' in dealing with structural fire incidents is encouraging which is exceeding the expected target of 80 per cent.

Yang Berhormat Pehin said that a significant achievement was the department's success in tackling large-scale forest, grass and peat fires in a short time compared to previous incidences which took months. The Fire and Rescue Department is always working together with stakeholders and the public in making continuous patrols to monitor forest and grass fires. With such synergy, the minister said that calls for forest fires were reduced to 53 per cent last year.

The function continued with the presentation of the Exemplary Fire Station Award 2021 which went to the Women's Operation Unit Fire Station, 'C' Operation Branch, for the third consecutive year. The celebration carried the theme 'Fire Safety is the Responsibility of All.'

Source: Radio Television Brunei