THE Lebuh Bakau Volunteer Fire Brigade has received RM60,000 in allocations over the past two years to support its operations and development, thanks to Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong.
In his speech at the brigade’s fundraising dinner and appreciation night, Sim said the allocation comprised RM50,000 last year and RM10,000 this year, aimed at strengthening the unit’s capacity to serve the community.
He added that funds had also been channelled to several other volunteer fire brigades across Penang.
Sim commended volunteer firefighters for their continued commitment, especially in responding to emergencies and supporting communities during crises.
“Despite various challenges, these volunteer teams remain dedicated and ready to serve at all times,” he said.
Meanwhile, state Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said the volunteer fire brigade, located in her Sungai Pinang constituency, is among the long-established volunteer units.
She said the team carried out nearly 30 community disinfection operations during the Covid-19 pandemic and played a key role during water disruptions by delivering supplies to affected communities, including old folks’ homes and orphanages.
“With the support of the state government, the brigade secured a site in Sungai Pinang to build a new headquarters, with groundbreaking completed in June last year,” she said.
Lim added that the new facility would provide a proper base for operations, training and storage, while also enabling the brigade to organise community education activities such as fire drills and safety awareness programmes.
Apart from Sim’s allocations, RM28,000 came from Lim, RM5,000 from state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, RM2,000 from Batu Lanchang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong, and RM1,000 each from Seri Delima assemblyman Connie Tan and Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Syn Tze.
Lebuh Bakau Volunteer Fire Brigade chairman Ong Theam Hock said the team, established in 1993, continues to serve the community after more than three decades.
He said the brigade responds to between 30 and 40 emergency cases annually, with members on standby day and night.
“Disasters do not wait. Whether it is floods or water shortages, our team will respond immediately,” he said.
Since leaving its original base in 2020, the team has been operating from a temporary site along Karpal Singh Drive without proper facilities.
“However, with support from various parties, we have now secured land to build a permanent base,” he said.
Fundraising committee chairman Datuk Albert Moh highlighted that the role of the volunteer fire brigade extends well beyond responding to emergencies, stressing the often unseen aspects of their work such as rigorous training, preparation and constant readiness.
He noted that firefighters act swiftly and selflessly without regard for convenience, responding whenever and wherever they are needed.
Among those who attended were Penang Fire and Rescue Department director Mohamad Shoki Hamzah, former state executive councillor Datuk Seri Phee Boon Poh, and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) councillors Lee Wei Seang and Koay Gaik Kee.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alissala Thian