THE Penang government has stepped in to assist the Juru Voluntary Fire Brigade Association to buy three new fire trucks.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was present to officiate the three new fire trucks, said the total cost for all three vehicles was about RM360,000.
“The state government has contributed RM60,000, while Batu Kawan MP Kasthuriraani Patto has donated RM20,000 and Bukit Tengah assemblyman Gooi Hsiao-Leung has chipped in RM20,000 to help them buy the new engines.
“This shows that the state government cares and truly appreciates the services and sacrifices of the volunteer firefighters.
“The three new engines will make it easier for the Juru Voluntary Fire Brigade Association in conducting operations or any rescue missions,” Chow said during the ceremony held at the Juru Voluntary Fire Brigade Association in Kampung Juru, Bukit Mertajam today.
Also present were state Welfare and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh, state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee, Gooi, state Fire and Rescue Department operations assistant director Mohd Hafiz Hafizal Timaradin and Juru Voluntary Fire Brigade Association deputy chairman Chew Seng Kok.
Chew expressed his utmost gratitude and appreciation to the Penang government for the much-needed boost.
“Special thanks also to the elected representatives, private companies and good Samaritans who have helped the Juru Voluntary Fire Brigade Association buy the three new fire trucks.
“We had previously only four fire trucks which had been in operation for more than 10 years.
“But four fire trucks alone are not enough to cover all the emergency cases as Juru is quite a big area and we are the only voluntary fire brigade here.
“Now with the additional engines, we now have seven fire trucks.
“One of the three new engines has a skylift ladder that is more than 20 metres long, another with a 3,800 litres water tank capacity and the third with a 1,500 litres water tank capacity.
“This is a much-needed boost for us to carry out our duties in emergency and rescue missions more effectively,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Ahmad Adil Muhamad