Monday, December 27, 2010

Contingency plan in place



WATER tankers, hydrosub water pumps, rivers and even air support form part of the Penang Fire and Rescue Department’s contingency plan to fight fires during the state-wide water disruption next Tuesday.
State Fire and Rescue Department director Ahmad Izram Osman said all fire stations should ensure their fire engines, water tanks and equipment such as hose fittings and portable pumps were in good condition.
He said fire and rescue officers would be on standby for emergencies while voluntary fire and rescue teams had also been roped in.
He said the department had identified 113 open water sources such as rivers and ponds to help in firefighting operations that day.
“Water tankers and hydrosub water pumps will be borrowed from fire and rescue departments in Kedah and Perak,” he told a press conference yesterday.
Ahmad Izram said the marine unit in Mak Mandin, Butterworth, would have water supply for fire engines in areas of central Seberang Perai while Penang island would get its supply from Port Swetten-ham.
“Water tankers would be borrowed from the Penang Municipal Council and Seberang Perai Municipal Council and they’ll be placed at Perak Road and Bandar Perda.
“All factories have also been informed to ensure the water supply from emergency storage tanks is not used and the tanks are filled up on that day,” he said.
He added that emergency response teams had also been told to ensure their firefighting equipment were in good condition.
He stressed that air support would be brought in if a forest fire was to break out that day.
Penang Water Supply Corporation general manager Jaseni Maidinsa urged Penangites to store water on Monday night.
“Every building should ensure its water tanks are filled up with at least two hours worth of volume,” he said.
For details, call the department’s operation centre in Prai at 04-3929872 or fax to 3929873.
Source: The Star Online

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