The National Fire Authority’s chief executive officer (CEO) had recently revealed a worrying statement that the organisation does not have the required staff to be effectively engaged in a fire situation in the country.
He attributes the cause of our people moving aboard for work opportunities and probably will continue in the further.
He requested an additional increase in the budget for recruit purpose as most of the fire stations are well below the required establishment.
I believe the CEO is not open-minded and not looking outside the square to probe the other avenues that is available under our laws that could be implemented for readiness, in any case of emergencies.
Section 24 of the National Fire Service Act 1994 mentions the recruitment of the volunteer firemen.
The volunteer fireman means a person who is a member of any fire brigade whose services are rendered without reward and or remuneration from the authority.
All volunteers are subject to training and medical evaluation before enlistment.
We have a very healthy resource of the armed force retirees including former police officers who perfectly fit in this criteria.
They are trained people in investigation and could easily relieve the current fire officers from administration duties.
Another pool to tap from are the university OHS students who study a unit in the diploma programme relating to fire safety measures and disaster risk management.
These people can be employed in the fire safety department involving in inspections and yearly business audits for compliance and other related activities.
Some can even provide hands-on assistance to the fire crew.
We need to take a leaf out of the Victoria Country Fire Authority where they took in the 40 Fijian PALM Scheme workers who are engaged in the meat processing industry to work as firefighting volunteers during their spare time.
Our laws allow the volunteer concept, and such proposition needs to be explored and implemented for the benefit of all.
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