KUALA TERENGGANU: The prompt response and efficiency of Terengganu's firemen helped save RM2.6 billion worth of properties from fires which affected 105 homes and 157 high-rise buildings in the state last year.
State Fire and Rescue Department director Assistant Commissioner Azlimin Mat Noor said from a total of 3,275 emergency calls last year, 1,995 concerned fires.
Another 1,138 involved rescue missions while 142 were for special cases.
"Although there were was a decline of 36.8 per cent last year, in the number of fires reported, fires continue to be the chief threat.
"Electrical fires, for instance, account for 24 per cent or 38 cases for last year alone," he said during the department's annual parade at its headquaters.
To help curb fires, Azlimin said numerous public awareness programmes were undertaken touching on fire-prevention, fire-fighting and early-response initiatives by society.
He said 1,053 auxiliary firemen were trained in the state to look after 18,453 fire hydrants to ensure they were in constant working order.
Meanwhile, Azlimin advised the public not to panic due to adverse weather during the current El Nino phenomenon.
"We have sufficient firemen on standby to handle bush fires and those concerning peat soil in view of the dry spell and elevated temperatures. Owing to scarce rainfall, we may face water shortages in high-risk areas in Setiu, Besut, Marang and Kertih," said Azlimin.
To overcome the situation, Azlimin said plans were underway to build artificial dams and to prepare water tankers to help fight fires.
His biggest concern were unscrupulous elements causing incendiary or deliberate fires.
State Meteorological Department director Jenuwa Husin said there was nothing to worry about as temperatures were expected to rise only by two degrees.
"So far, we have recorded the highest temperature of 36 degrees Celcius in Lubok, Merbau on Jan 10 this year. The highest recorded was 40.1 degree Celsius in Chuping, Perlis on April 9, 1998," he said, adding that the Oceanic Nino Index was at its high stage at the moment.
The El Nino effect, he added, would last until March.
State Department of Environment director Rashadah Hashim said her officers would carry out patrols, especially in plantations and forest reserves to keep an eye on people carrying out open burning activities which could aggravate the risk of bush fires.
For last year, she said the department took action on 147 cases involving indiscriminate open burning.
At the parade, Azlimin received new emergency response team ambulances to beef up the state's inventory.