N. Sembilan Fire Department Calls For More Tahfiz Fire Squads To Aid Early Rescue

SEREMBAN, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) of Negeri Sembilan is urging more tahfiz centres in the state to collaborate in setting up tahfiz fire squads to assist with early rescue efforts in the event of a fire at their premises.

Negeri Sembilan JBPM director Abdul Khair Osman said that there were currently 29 tahfiz fire squads in the state, comprising 314 members aged 15 and above since its launch in 2017, and this number was expected to continue to rise.

"We are revitalising the tahfiz squads in the state because they are part of the first response team that will assist with fire safety at their premises while awaiting personnel from the fire department.

"Some tahfiz centres have been reluctant to cooperate in establishing these squads, but after meetings, discussions and explanations about the benefits of such squads, they eventually agreed to set them up," he told Bernama today.

Citing the tragic fire at a tahfiz centre in Kampung Datuk Keramat, Kuala Lumpur in 2017 that claimed 23 lives, he expressed his hope that such incidents wouldn’t recur.

He explained that the setting up of tahfiz squads in religious schools aimed to raise awareness through modules that covered fire science, fire safety knowledge, rescue techniques, building evacuation and safety equipment.

"They will undergo a special eight-hour module that includes both theory and practical training conducted by the fire stations and receive a registration certificate and membership upon successful completion of the module," he said.

Abdul Khair added that every premises should understand and identify the risks present in their area to facilitate early action in case of any untoward events.

He also noted that the fire department would conduct inspections to ensure that the premises were secure.

Meanwhile, he reported that there were currently 336 registered junior fire squads with JBPM in the state, and this number was expected to continue increasing as they received new applications daily.

He added that membership for the Junior Fire Club was open at all times to all preschools, kindergartens and childcare centres.

-- BERNAMA