Less road deaths more drowning cases in 2003
By Azlan Othman

The year 2003 saw a reduction in the number of deaths and injuries relating to road accidents but there was an increase in deaths due to drowning as compared to 2002.

Statistics compiled by the Fire Services Department revealed that from January until December 23, 2003, 12 road accidents and six drowning cases were recorded as compared to 18 road accidents and three drowning cases the year before.

However the total number of deaths last year was similar if compared to 2002 with one death recorded in building fires, one in house fires, 12 in car accidents, six in drowning and three in other emergencies.

As for injuries last year, there was a reduction with one building fire, four house fires, 245 car accidents, one drowning, one gas leak and four other emergencies.

While in 2002, there were more injuries with one building fire, two house fires, six burnt cars, 273 car accidents, one drowning and four other emergencies.

The department managed to save around $6.6 million worth of properties from building, house, electrical, car fires as well as gas leak as compared to $27 million in 2002.

In terms of emergency calls, the Berakas Fire Station received the most calls, followed by the Central Fire Station in the capital. The Tumasek Fire Station received the least number of calls.

Altogether, there are 16 Fire Stations spread throughout the four districts in the country.

Besides putting out fires, the department also provides assistance to the community which include locked room, jammed lift, rescuing animals, fallen trees, salvage service, flushing out house interior submerged under water, cleaning up compound, helping to adjust tangled flags, and putting out forest and bush fires.

Other assistance includes removing oil leak, putting out rubbish fires, switching off fire alarm, and gas leaks.

There were 770 hectares of forest fires last year, which was similar to the year before. Bush fires engulfed around 500 hectares last year as compared to 700 hectares in 2002.

The Fire Services Department also received many crank calls with 47 made last year as compared to 42 the year before.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin