Female Firefighters Join Front-Line

Bandar Seri Begawan - Female firefighters now have their own squad to fight blazes alongside their male colleagues.

The first female operation squad 'Operation Branch C' consisting of 37 personnel, who act as "second responders" to emergencies, was officially launched yesterday at the Fire and Rescue Headquarters, Old Airport Road.

According to one of the female firefighters, Dayang Ruhaini Binti Hj Ali, Assistant Station Officer, "It's a proud moment for female firefighters".

"1 feel honoured and delighted to be one of the first batches of female firefighters to fight fires alongside the male firefighters," said Dayang Ruhaini, who is also in charge of the new Light Fire Attack Vehicle (LFAV) that the Fire and Rescue Department has acquired.

The vehicle which can hold up to 50 litres of water and is manned by four female firefighters is used in combating blazes in buildings, houses and bushes. Dayang Ruhaini said they went to Singapore to train how to use the vehicle.

The guest of honour at the ceremony, Datin Paduka Rajah Salmah binti Hj Hanafiah, Auditor General of Audit Department, in her welcoming remarks, said, "The female firefighters started operation on Jan 1. The involvement of the female firefighters is an effort to be proud of as previously the profession of firefighters was `monopolised' by men.

"The participation of women in firefighting shows that women are also contributing their services and energy to the community and the country," she added.

She said, "We cannot be complacent, meaning we have to be always be alert and prepared to face any emergencies."

"The Fire and Rescue Department has to be always proactive and prepared to face any emergencies like natural disasters or haze by providing firefighters with specialised skills such as in rescue as well as utilising technology and equipment."

She hoped that all levels of the department will practise the spirit of teamwork and good work ethics in carrying out their responsibilities and tasks.

Datin Paduka Hajah Salmah, accompanied by Hjh Siti Mayang Binti Hj Hussin, Assistant Director of Fire and Rescue, also inspected a guard of honour.

The female firefighters demonstrated that they can perform their job as well as their male colleagues by displaying rescue techniques such as abseiling down a building while carrying "fire victims" and catching a live snake. They also demonstrated how to rescue a driver "trapped" inside a car during an "accident". -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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