BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

RESIDENTS of Mukim Mentiri can now expect a more responsive emergency system from fire brigades with the completion of a fire station.

As part of the 10th National Development Plan), Director of Fire and Rescue Department Yahya Hj Abd Rahman said two more fire stations will be operational this year.

“One of the stations which is located in Mentiri, has already been completed and will be officially launched a day after tomorrow (on January 9),” he told The Brunei Times on the sidelines of the department’s promotion ceremony yesterday.

In a previous report, the soon-to-be 25th fire and rescue station featured a modern and contemporary design and would be able to service the areas of Kg Mentiri, Kg Kawasan Satu dan Dua, Mentiri National Housing Scheme and Kg Sg Buloh.

The director yesterday presented rank insignias to 16 fire and rescue officers to station officers at the department headquarters on Old Airport Road.

Present to hand over the insignia to newly-appointed officers was the director and Deputy Director Lim Hock Guan.

A total of 14 deputy station officers were promoted to station officers, while Assistant Station Officer Ak Hj Ali Rahman Pg Hj Halus and Andi Karmilawaty Hj Abd Karim from the Women Fire and Rescue Department were also promoted.

Most of the officers are based in Brunei-Muara district, except deputy station officers Azami Hj Ali from the Belait district and Lileysurayani Sidek based in Tutong.

Asked on the significance of the promotions to the department, Yahya said it would improve the quality of the service they provide to the public.

“(For 2014), the department hopes to surpass its achievements in the previous year,” he said.

“Our concept is not just to develop the department’s capacity, but to also empower the public, by creating awareness or voluntary training so they have a better understanding on fire safety,” he said.

“The promotions are part of the department’s plans to improve its quality and efficiency of operations in recognition of those who have done well as a form of an encouragement,” Hj Yahya added.

The director said the path to promotion for the Fire and Rescue Department officers were assessed in terms of their academic level, interview performance, practical tests and seniority in serving in the department.

According to the department’s press release, members of the department can find inspiration from the exemplary Andi Karmilawaty Hj Abd Karim of the Public Relations department.

Andi climbed the ladder to station officer after almost 10 years, and started her service with only a qualification of a pre-National Diploma in Engineering in 2003.

With her own initiative, she enrolled to pursue an International Diploma in Computer Studies in 2012 and succeeded in attaining a Roll of Honour, the press statement added.

In line with this achievement, Andi hoped it would become a beacon of motivation for her junior colleagues.

“(This promotion) was a testimony to a desire to improve myself and commitment to reflect a good image of my department, especially in terms of academic (which) has developed into a more productive and innovative person,” Andi said.

“Our dreams can come true, as long as you work hard and put an effort to it, I am sure you will get there,” she said.

The Brunei Times