BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Fire and Rescue Department for the first time used its Forward Command Post (FCP) vehicle at birthday celebrations for His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

The FCP vehicle was used to safeguard conditions at events marking His Majesty’s 69th birthday.

Senior Superintendent Mohd Yudieswandy Bakar said it was the latest technology the department has used at such an event to make it easier to relay and gather information.

Mohd Yudieswandy, who is the commanding officer of operation branch ‘A’, said it was one of 20 fire and rescue vehicles the department had on standby supported by more than 115 firefighting personnel at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.

Elaborating on its capabilities, Station Officer Moksin Hj Zakaria said the FCP consolidates real-time information directly to the FCP vehicle.

“Basically, it’s a mobile radio control (centre). So for example, if there was an emergency call around the perimeter of the birthday celebration event, this would be first relayed directly to the FCP instead of, for example, to the department’s headquarters or hotline,” he said.

“Also, for example, if one of the other vehicles scattered around the capital sees an emergency, it would alert the FCP, which would inform the standby post to deploy its fire trucks or manpower.”

SSFR Mohd Yudieswandy said this complements well with, for example, its motorcycle units.

“The advantage of the (motorcycle) riders is mobility. For example, if there are tight places that fire trucks can’t access or are far from them, these faster riders are our first responders. They relay information as soon as possible and act as our eyes,” he said.

Mohd Yudieswandy said the officers on standby yesterday consisted of a number of branches and squads under the department from other stations in the capital.

However, he said this didn’t mean that other areas had no fire rescue cover because, for example, if Beribi firefighters were in the capital and an incident occurred in Kg Beribi, then the closest fire station would deploy its forces to Kg Beribi.

He said the department also had three rescue boats stationed along the Brunei River to ensure the safety of those taking water taxis.

The Brunei Times