Kenderong Forest Reserve pioneers helipad and tube wells for firefighting
Mohamad Farhan Sukiman, assistant director of the Perak Forestry Department, said the project provides an alternative water source beyond river supplies for firefighting.
The RM400,000 project was built on a 0.2-hectare former logging site between August and September last year.
'The Department of Minerals and Geoscience provided technical expertise for the tube wells, while our department managed site operations,' said Mohamad Farhan.
He added that the nearby helipad reduces aerial operation times from 10 to three minutes for water collection.
This initiative showcases inter-agency collaboration in disaster management and environmental protection.
The project involved cooperation between federal and state agencies under a 2023–2025 firefighting infrastructure programme.
Shazlean Mohd Hanafiah of Perak's Fire and Rescue Department highlighted how tube wells solve water access challenges in remote areas.
Previously, crews relied on distant fire hydrants or six-hour uphill treks to reach blazes.
Helicopters now transport personnel and equipment using the new helipad, significantly improving response times.
The site's existing water sources, including lakes and mines, complement the new infrastructure for aerial firefighting. – Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
4 hours ago
- Borneo Post
'Steel Steady' community project receives Rakan Muda Academy Grant
The community project team from Keningau Vocational College that won the grant. KENINGAU (Aug 15): The community project team from the Welding Technology program of Keningau Vocational College (KVC), known as 'Steel Steady', has been selected as one of the 10 recipients of the Rakan Muda Academy grant worth RM15,000, organized by Impact Malaysia in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The team attended a series of mentoring workshops for grant recipients held in-person at the end of July in Negeri Sembilan and in early August 2025 in Selangor. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh officiated the workshop series on the final night through a special ceremony. The team consists of five main members: Firdaus Sariman, a vocational teacher who also serves as the team leader, along with four diploma students in Welding Technology – Nur Alia Ayuni Muahamad Husrin, Andrew Mark Dalubatan, Dylan Ivander Lucas and Gareth Randall Gisil. The 'Steel Steady' project focuses on repairing and restoring public buildings such as schools and houses of worship, particularly structures made of steel, including stair railings, drainage grilles and door and window bars. The project also empowers youth by training volunteers in basic welding techniques so they can participate in this community initiative together with vocational students who are already skilled in repair and maintenance work. The team has developed a workshop module designed for participants without a vocational background to effectively learn these skills. With this grant, the team will provide training and exposure to youths aged 15 to 20 from the Keningau area before carrying out repair works at a primary school in the district. The college director, Lumang anak Lang, expressed pride and joy in the team's efforts, highlighting that they not only use the skills they have learned to serve the community but also strive to educate and encourage youths to actively volunteer in the project. This, he emphasized, proves that vocational college education can develop human capital while instilling positive values.
New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Debris from condominium project hits Bukit Damansara house, injuring occupants
KUALA LUMPUR: A house in Bukit Damansara was severely damaged yesterday when construction debris from a nearby condominium project crashed through its roof. The incident occurred at around 6pm. Shaik Azrul Shaik Daud, 52, said his sister was injured after debris struck the upstairs room. "When she heard a loud noise, she leapt from the bed. "The construction slab and rocks fell on the roof and crashed into the room. "If she had leapt a second later, she could have been seriously injured," he said when met at the house at Jalan Setiakasih 6. He said his sister sustained injuries to her nose and head. "Also at the house during the incident were his 89-year-old father, 79-year-old mother, his daughter and a maid. The impact damaged several parts of the home, including the porch awning, a ground-floor room and its toilet, as well as a room and the master bedroom's toilet on the first floor. "It also damaged the incoming water pipe outside the house," he said, with losses estimated at around RM200,000. Recalling the incident, Shaik Azrul said he was at his office in Damansara Perdana when he received a call from his daughter asking him to come home immediately. "I asked her what happened and she said some rocks had fallen on the house from the neighbouring construction site." He said that after checking further with his brother, they noticed a platform at the construction site jutting out from the building. "From the naked eye, we could see the platform was dented. "There was still some debris hanging on it, and there was a possibility it could fall again. "We believe the platform gave way, probably due to overloading of construction slabs or debris." He said representatives from Kuala Lumpur City Hall, the Construction Industry Development Board, and the Department of Occupational Safety and Health visited the house earlier today to assess the damage. "All three parties have issued a stop-work order immediately. "They have instructed the main contractor and the developer to provide a detailed report on it," he said. He said City Hall had instructed the developer and main contractor to assess the damage and carry out rectification works immediately. "We were informed that the stop-work order will not be lifted until the rectification works are completed. "We were also told that the City Hall is taking stern action against the developer and the main contractor, as the incident resulted in injuries to the house occupants." Shaik Azrul said a police report was lodged yesterday, and his sister went to a clinic for a check-up this morning. He said the family's pregnant pet cat, believed to have been near the site of impact, was found injured. "We saw the cat dragging itself across the floor as its back was injured," he said, adding the cat was later put to sleep due to the severity of its injuries. Asked if the family is considering legal action, Shaik Azrul said: "After discussing the matter, we believe this is a case of pure negligence on the part of the developer. "The developer has to be held responsible. "Therefore, we are exploring possible legal angles.
The Star
16 hours ago
- The Star
NGO holds charity sale in Melaka, hopes to raise RM110,000 for its programmes
One of the many homemade goods sold during The Salvation Army Melaka's open day in 2023. The event tomorrow will be held in Jalan Parameswara. Non-governmental organisation (NGO) The Salvation Army Melaka will be hosting a charity sale and open day tomorrow to aid the needy and support the organisation's programmes. The event will be held from 8.30am to 1.30pm at its premises in Jalan Parameswara, where nearly 50 food stalls will profer various types of food such as nasi tomato, vegetarian fish porridge, and cakes. Salvation Army programme coordinator Olyvia Lim said the organisation aimed to raise RM110,000. 'The event promises a day of wholesome family fun, where everyone can enjoy good food, do good and make purchases for a worthy cause,' she said. 'The public is urged to support the sale, as the funds will be used to support the organisation's numerous activities. 'We hope that with the funds raised at the charity event, the work of the Salvation Army in Melaka can be further expanded and more underprivileged people can be assisted,' she added. 'As a non-profit organisation, we are highly dependent on public donations to ensure the continuity of our community programmes, such as our sheltered employment and training centre for individuals with special needs, and our senior citizens fellowship called the 'Rainbow Club',' said Lim. Visitors can participate in an Artificial Intelligence (AI) workshop organised by the Asean Foundation and facilitated by students from Kolej Tingkatan Enam Tun Fatimah. There will also be special performances from students of The Salvation Army Hopehaven Special Needs Care Centre and members of The Salvation Army Rainbow Club, as well as live music by The Straits Kambradus Band. Since the late 1970s, The Salvation Army Melaka has been managing a special education centre for individuals with learning disabilities such as Down's syndrome, autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at its Hopehaven Special Needs Care Centre. The sheltered employment and training centre includes classes such as making handicraft and baking. The Rainbow Club is a fellowship of about 50 senior citizens, primarily unmarried people living below the poverty line, who support each other as they navigate life in their later years. The NGO also carries out community care projects like food aid for poor families, emergency aid and relief during fires and floods, and a social enterprise thrift store that collects and sells preloved items. For details, contact 06-283 1203 or 011-3577 4017.
