On 8 January 1997, the Malaysian Cabinet changed the logo or insignia, flag and name of the Malaysian Fire Services Department to be known as the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department,. this was officially announced and launched in a ceremony held in Genting Highlands Fire and Rescue Station, Pahang on 21 February 1997, by The Honourable Malaysian Prime Minister of that time, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad-the fourth Malaysian Prime Minister.(Wikipedia)
From the limited resources I have in hand, I have found that our Sibu Fire Brigade had a very simple beginning and in fact there was no real fire fighter in Sibu for half a century in the 20th century.
Did Sibu only have a voluntary Fire Figthing Brigade for half a century? Looking at our history, our town Sibu, was razed by fire in 1889, and 1928 and very recently for the third time in July 2013, five shop houses at Blacksmith Road were gutted.
Unknown to many, the skeletal old Fire Station of Sibu was at Channel Road was staffed by two fire men seriving 230 shophouses and three local theatres until 1959. (Sarawak Gazette) It was also know clear when this small fire station was established.
Unknown to many, the skeletal old Fire Station of Sibu was at Channel Road was staffed by two fire men seriving 230 shophouses and three local theatres until 1959. (Sarawak Gazette) It was also know clear when this small fire station was established.
In another simple research I found this " The Fire Brigade moved out from the old place (presently MAKSAK Building at Channel Road/Cross Road) to the present Fire Station at Central Road which was completed on Friday, December 25, 1959 at a cost of about RM153,000." (SMC website)
At last by 1959, Sibu had a brand new fire station, painted in read and white, the colours of a Fire Station in the British Commonwealth. Even its fire engines and facilities or equipment were painted in read. The firemen wore hats and uniforms like their counterparts in Britain.
At last by 1959, Sibu had a brand new fire station, painted in read and white, the colours of a Fire Station in the British Commonwealth. Even its fire engines and facilities or equipment were painted in read. The firemen wore hats and uniforms like their counterparts in Britain.
(Photo credit : Sibu Fire Station, Freddie Wong, Leica)
The Fire Station of Sibu then was staffed with a Fire Officer, a Foreman, two (2) Leading Firemen and 15 Firemen. New fire fighting equipment and appliance were purchased.
As I grew older I remember thinking that we were quite fortnunate in Sibu. Fires did not break out often, even though most of the houses in those days were wooden. Perhaps every one was careful in the use of fire.
For a while after Malaysia was formed, fire fighting was still under the local government, ie the fire station was under the SUDC.
As a child I used to walk to the market with my grandmother and/ or mother and often if we were early enough we could see the firemen sliding down the pole at the back of the fire station. To me they were like acrobats and my grandmother would stop for a while to let me watch. Mum was more strict and was anxious to complete her morning chores. "What to see? Nothing to see. Hurry up."
And I remember almost all the firemen lived in the building. There were children in the fire station, and they were upstairs.
As I grew older I remember thinking that we were quite fortnunate in Sibu. Fires did not break out often, even though most of the houses in those days were wooden. Perhaps every one was careful in the use of fire.
When I started teaching in Sibu, my hometown, in 1976,the fire "brigade of Sibu" came under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government. Many junior teachers felt that it was thus quite complicated to organize school trips to look at the "fire engines" and some fire fighting demonstrations. The school had to send letters to the authorities for such visits and we had to wait for approval. Fewer official school trips were made as a result.
But Sibu being a small town, students could easily look at the vehicles, buildings and the every day activities of the Fire Station by observing from afar. They could write their short compositions or reports after they had "seen something" at their own time.
But Sibu being a small town, students could easily look at the vehicles, buildings and the every day activities of the Fire Station by observing from afar. They could write their short compositions or reports after they had "seen something" at their own time.
On 15 May 1981, the fire services were taken over by Federal Government.
Today children do not easily say Fire Station, Fire Brigade, Fire Men...they just say BOMBA. It is what they call "short hand language". I am amused.
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