KOTA BELUD: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has taken a proactive step to strengthen community disaster preparedness.
It provided emergency response supplies to residents of Kampung Melangkap Kapa to enhance their ability to respond to fire incidents.
The initiative was carried out by the UMS Natural Disaster Living Laboratory (MaHBAM) in collaboration with the Kota Belud Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM).
The programme involved handing over fire extinguishers to the Kampung Melangkap Kapa Disaster Task Force to enable early action before the arrival of emergency responders.
The programme was organised following a fire on Feb 21 that destroyed 12 houses and damaged three others.
The incident highlighted the lack of firefighting equipment at the community level, as well as the challenges faced by fire engines in accessing the village.
UMS Natural Disaster Research Centre (NDRC) director Associate Professor Dr Carolyn Melissa Payus said the disaster preparedness supplies were intended to strengthen the community’s capacity to act as first responders during emergencies.
“Prompt action by the community can help contain fires at an early stage, thereby reducing the risk of loss of life and damage to property before the arrival of emergency responders.
“To ensure the equipment is used effectively, JBPM Kota Belud also conducted practical training on the proper use of fire extinguishers, enhancing residents’ knowledge and skills in handling emergencies safely and effectively.
“This approach, which combines the provision of equipment with practical training, is expected to strengthen the culture of disaster preparedness at the community level while increasing residents’ confidence to respond quickly to any fire incident,” she said.
Carolyn presented the disaster preparedness supplies to Kampung Melangkap Kapa village head James Palit, who represented the village Disaster Task Force.
Also present were Senior Fire Officer II Patrick Marius Liansun, Fire Officer Khairi Saifuddin and NDRC research officer Eldawaty Madran. – Wu Vuide
MaHBAM UMS hands over equipment to the disaster task force.
