KUCHING, 15 Sept — The government plans to purchase a Bombardier aircraft and a ‘Medevac’ helicopter for the use by the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), said Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin.

She said both of these air assets, which the fire department had not yet acquired, were essential, especially in the process of evacuating victims in the rural areas, and to put out forest fires.

Zuraida added the ministry would also consider procuring the latest firefighting equipment if necessary for the department’s use.

"I will be going to Italy in the near future to see the effectiveness of the machinery or equipment used in the country

"I will be going to Italy in the near future to see the effectiveness of the machinery or equipment used in the European country in firefighting.

"Italy is the best model country in addressing fires, so we will go there to witness the demonstration of the assets,” she told reporters after handing over fire extinguishers to JBPM Sarawak headquarters here

A total of 1,000 fire extinguishers were handed over to the state fire department to be distributed to long houses in the remote areas as the first aid tool in extinguishing fire.

Meanwhile, state JBPM director Khirudin Drahman said so far, there are 32 fire stations in the state, while from the geographical factor, Sarawak is larger than Peninsula Malaysia.

"In an event of a fire, the firefighters find it difficult to arrive early at the locations especially in the interiors. Therefore, with the fire extinguishers, it would help to tackle the fire at the initial stage while avoiding property losses,” he added. — Bernama