NILAI, Dec 14 — The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) has submitted an application to the Public Service Department (JPA) regarding the Fire Incentive Payment (BIB) allowance, said Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Hamdan Wahid.
He said JPA was always concerned about the welfare of firefighters in the country and the application was still in the process for its consideration.
“We always have space to negotiate and engage with JPA,” he told reporters after the Graduation Parade Ceremony and the Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) Fire Corps Accreditation ceremony for undergraduates here today.
Yesterday, the media reported that the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Service (Cuepacs) had called on the government to review the BIB JBPM allowance of RM110 per month because the amount did not commensurate with the workload and risk of members who work 12 hours.
On another note, Mohammad Hamdan said JBPM was in the process of promoting its member, the late Mohd Firdaus Sulaiman, posthumously from the rank of Fire Safety (KB) 19 to KB 22.
He said, the late Mohd Firdaus was a dedicated member and always provided the best service that he was willing to sacrifice his life for the safety and well-being of others.
Mohd Firdaus, 32, died at 4.10 am at Segamat Hospital, Johor after receiving treatment for severe injuries from an explosion during a firefighting operation at a sawdust processing factory in Segamat, Johor last Saturday.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Hamdan said a total of 12,500 JBPM members were deployed at 324 fire stations to face flood and natural disaster preparedness in several hotspots in the country.
He said that while the focus was given to Sabah, Sarawak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor previously but due to weather uncertainty, there are other states with the potential for floods such as Selangor.
Apart from that, it is also organising strategies through patrols and risk assessment for locations with dangerous slopes and roads that are potentially affected by floods.
He said JBPM also provided five aircraft in Peninsular Malaysia and two aircraft in Sabah and Sarawak for the purpose of monitoring and rescuing areas at risk of floods.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
