Perak Fire and Rescue Dept ready for El-Nino related challenges

IPOH: Perak Fire and Rescue Department is all geared to fight fire, especially bush fires, during the dry weather expected during El-Nino, said its director Datuk Yahaya Madis.
Although the meteorological department has alerted to be on the alert for El-Nino weather impact, he said, it has really not happened due to regular rainfall.
"The weather, sometimes hot, has not caused any major fire outbreaks. If it does happen, we are prepared," he told reporters after the department's annual parade here today.
Yahaya also presented certificate of appreciation to local community members, media and firemen who assisted the department during fire.
He also commended the public for their awareness in the importance of not having open burning which will spark bush fires, haze and pollution.
"My men are physically and mentally prepared to fight fires not only on the ground but also in mountains," he said, adding fire breakouts occur in mountains and peat soils during hot weather, which are hard to battle with.
Yahaya said it is easy if there is sufficient supply of water to put out the fires but becomes a problem when there is no water, especially if there is fire breakout in mountains.
Besides fighting fires, he said, the firemen are also summoned to extricate bodies, vehicles or attend to emergencies during road accidents.
"We expect this to happen more this year due to many long weekend holidays," he added.
As to causes of fire in the state last year, Yahaya said, fire due to arson had reduced from 15% of the total cases in 2014 to 5% last year.