NO allowances, no monthly salaries, need to stand by round-the-clock and have to risk their lives every day.
These are all part and parcel of the life of volunteer firemen.
But still, that did not stop their willingness to carry out the rescue work and save other people’s life.
For Valdor Voluntary Fire Brigade Association, their other duties include wild animal rescues, sanitising public places, removing hornet nests, organising communal clean-ups (gotong-royong) to prevent dengue in the housing area and many others.
“These are some examples of our duty apart from risking our lives by battling blazes and infernos since 2000, the year in which this voluntary unit was established,” said the squad captain Law Soon Chiang during an exclusive interview with Buletin Mutiara recently at the Valdor Voluntary Fire Brigade Association in Kampung Valdor, Bukit Tambun.
Law said his team, which consists of around 40 volunteers, has been actively involved in various rescue missions over the years such as during fires, landslides, floods and accidents in Valdor and the whole Penang as well.
“On average, we handle around 30 to 40 cases per month. And most of them involve fires.
“The gratification that comes from saving lives or helping another person is rewarding enough for us. We do not ask anything in return.
“After all, volunteerism is about giving back to the society through our service. And this is exactly what we have been doing.
“People think volunteer work is wasting time, but our volunteers work with so much passion and interest. You feel different when you are in a position to help others,” he added.
Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik, who was also present during the interview session, lauded the spirit of volunteerism shown by the Valdor Voluntary Fire Brigade Association.
“Volunteer firefighters are an important part of the Fire and Rescue Department.
“They never ask for anything in return. They don’t do it for the glory or recognition, awards, applause or getting to wear a uniform. They simply want to help in a way they have been trained to. This is the true spirit of volunteerism.
“They are the unsung heroes who soldiered on without any financial reward,” said Goh.
According to Law, most of the unit voluntary members have their own occupation.
“Some work at the farm nearby the Kampung Valdor, others work at the factory and some of us also run our own businesses and have more flexible schedules.
“We are on standby round-the-clock. So, those who have full-time jobs are usually on standby after their working hours or during their days off,” Law said, adding that the unit is funded out of the members’ own pockets or through donations from well-wishers.
Law also thanked Goh and Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow for their tremendous support towards the Valdor Voluntary Fire Brigade Association.
“Both of them have assisted us to buy the new fire truck that cost RM170,000.
“YB Goh has given us RM20,000 allocation and CM Chow through Chief Minister Office (CMO) has provided us with a RM30,000 allocation.
“Another RM120,000 was through our own funds.
“The new fire truck is more advanced in terms of its system and equipment. Its skylift (ladder) is 25.5 metres long.
“Thus, this will make it easier for us to reach high buildings in any emergency and rescue situation.
“YB Goh also has assisted us by sponsoring set of uniforms and walkie-talkies to make it easier for us to communicate when there is an emergency.
“Hence, we would like to express our utmost gratitude and appreciation to YB Goh and CM Chow as well,” he added.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Law said his team would organise a fundraising dinner to raise funds for the unit.
“But now due to the pandemic, we are having a problem to sustain our operation. We have to use our own money and rely on public donations.
“On average, we spend around RM5,000 a month for petrol, maintenance and operational costs.
“The cost is quite high especially when it involves a massive scale of fire cases. A long hour operation could increase the operational cost between RM500 and RM1,000 for petrol only.
“Thus, we want to appeal to the good Samaritans out there to assist us to sustain our operation so that we can operate effectively,” he added.
Donations can be made to the Persatuan Bomba Sukarela Valdor (RHB account-20710300002106).
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis