Latest news with #FarhanSufyanBorhan
The Sun
2 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Kelantan JBPM identifies 57 accident hotspots
TUMPAT: The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has identified 57 accident-prone hotspots across Kelantan for the upcoming Aidiladha festive season. State director Farhan Sufyan Borhan said Gua Musang recorded the highest number with 15 hotspots, followed by Kuala Krai with seven. 'While we won't be conducting continuous monitoring, nearby Fire and Rescue Stations will be instructed to keep watch over the identified locations. 'We also urge Kelantan residents returning for the Aidiladha holidays to prioritise road safety and exercise extra caution,' he told reporters after launching the 2025 Kelantan Media Community Firefighter programme at the Pengkalan Kubor Fire and Rescue Station today. He said the training programme aims to equip media practitioners with essential safety knowledge and emergency response skills in the event of accidents or fires in their vicinity. 'This is the first such programme we've held in Kelantan this year. We hope media personnel gain a better understanding of firefighting duties so they can report more accurately, and if needed, take early action during emergencies before our teams arrive,' he added. Ten media representatives from various agencies, including Bernama, RTM, Berita Harian, Kosmo!, and Malaysia Gazette, participated in rappelling, breathing apparatus drills and sewer navigation, among other training activities.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Climate
- The Sun
77% of structural fires in Kelantan due to electricity
KOTA BHARU: Electrical faults were the cause of 77 per cent of structural fires reported in Kelantan for two years in a row since 2023, according to the state Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM). Its director Farhan Sufyan Borhan said in 2023, 689 structural fire cases were recorded, with 537 traced to electrical causes. The following year, the number rose to 821 cases, with 634 linked to the same source. 'These figures are worrying and we expect a similar trend to continue this year. Most incidents involve electrical appliances or faulty wiring in residential homes, particularly those made of wood,' he told reporters after the department's monthly assembly at the Kelantan JBPM headquarters in Tunjong here today. Farhan advised the public to routinely maintain their home wiring systems and inspect electrical appliances, especially those in use for over a decade. In a separate development, he said the department has received four high-capacity water pumps to improve its response to open burning, especially in peatland areas. The pumps, each capable of delivering 1,000 litres per minute at 10-bar pressure, were received late last year and distributed to the four busiest fire stations: Bachok, Pasir Puteh, Tunjong, and Tanah Merah. Farhan also reminded the public to keep their surroundings clean, particularly during the Southwest Monsoon season, as venomous animals like snakes and scorpions tend to seek shelter in homes.
Barnama
6 days ago
- General
- Barnama
Toxic Fumes From Waste Site Fires Pose Added Dangers To Firefighters
P laying a vital role in all types of rescue operations, firefighters frequently risk their own lives in the line of duty. Some of the dangers they face are invisible – lurking in the form of toxic fumes with every breath they take. This is especially the case when extinguishing fires at waste disposal sites, a task frequently handled by the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) Kelantan. Unlike other states in Peninsular Malaysia, waste disposal in Kelantan is often done directly by residents in areas designated by the local authorities. As a result, all kinds of waste, including hazardous materials that should never be disposed of there, end up at the dumpsites. Unsurprisingly, fires frequently break out at these sites, sometimes releasing toxic gases that pose serious risks to the safety of firefighting teams. According to JBPM Kelantan, it handled 1,827 open burning cases last year, with 207 involving incidents at garbage collection sites. 'In Kelantan, residents bring their waste directly to centralised locations… a practice that differs from other states where scheduled door-to-door collection is done. So, the waste is not filtered (separated) and left to pile up. 'When a fire breaks out, it's hard to detect it… we're talking about smouldering fires, that is, slow-burning fires beneath the surface that can spread without warning. That's the most dangerous type,' Kelantan JBPM director Farhan Sufyan Borhan said in a recent interview with Bernama. FIRST RESPONDER He said despite the high risk of inhaling toxic gases, JBPM is always the first agency to respond when a fire occurs at a waste disposal site. He said under the National Security Council (NSC) Directive No. 20, JBPM is the first responder for any chemical, biological, radioactive, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) incident. 'In other words, our team's role is to first eliminate immediate hazards – such as fire – so that the relevant authorities can enter and manage the disaster,' he said. In the context of fires at waste disposal sites, Farhan Sufyan stressed that these incidents should not be viewed merely as fire outbreaks but rather as 'systemic disasters' involving multiple agencies due to the different types of waste present. The four main categories of waste found at such sites are sewage, solid waste (including domestic and scheduled waste), radioactive waste and chemical waste, which are managed by different agencies, namely Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd, the Department of Environment, Atomic Energy Licensing Board, local authorities and Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp). Farhan Sufyan added that extinguishing fires at landfill sites is no simple task and often requires heavy machinery. 'We use the 'dig up and extinguish' method, where excavators are used to break apart piles of waste. These operations also demand a large volume of water, and sometimes we have to pump it in from rivers located several kilometres away from the site. 'However, JBPM does not have its own heavy machinery, so we need to request help from other agencies. If none are available, we have no choice but to wait – even though the fire doesn't wait for us,' he said. FIRST 48 HOURS CRITICAL Farhan Sufyan also explained that under JBPM's operating protocol, the department will take full control of firefighting operations during the first 48 hours. After that, responsibility is handed back to the local authority or the appointed agency. If the fire continues to burn beyond that period, JBPM will only provide additional assistance on a paid basis, unless the incident poses a threat to public safety. 'Many people don't know this. The fire department isn't a free service that can be deployed at all times. There are limits and there is a legal framework. 'Even so, when lives are at stake, jurisdictional boundaries often become blurred. Our team will act without hesitation but the core issue still remains: who manages the waste, who prevents the fires, who controls the pollution?' he said. Commenting on the toxic fumes that firemen are exposed to when putting out landfill fires, he said burning materials like tyres and plastic release toxins that can cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting and even long-term health effects. 'If the toxicity is too high, we need to bring in the (JBPM's) special HAZMAT (Hazardous Material) unit but not every dumpsite fire requires their involvement,' he said, adding in Kelantan, a HAZMAT team is on standby and will be deployed if the toxins' danger levels exceed normal thresholds, with the assessment done on-site based on initial monitoring.
Barnama
18-05-2025
- General
- Barnama
Waste Fires: Silent Threat That Pushes JBPM To The Limit
By Muhammad Afiq Mohd Asri KOTA BHARU, May 18 (Bernama) -- Waste fires should not be viewed as ordinary fire incidents as they pose health hazards and can even cost lives, making fire suppression efforts particularly demanding for the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM). Such fires often smoulder underneath piles of tyres and discarded plastics, producing thick smoke that remains a persistent threat to emergency responders and nearby residents. When toxic waste is involved, the dangers multiply as the resulting smoke can cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting and long-term health effects. Kelantan JBPM director Farhan Sufyan Borhan described waste fires as a systemic issue involving various types of waste, each managed by different agencies, such as the Department of Environment, Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB), Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation and local authorities. 'The four main categories are sewage, solid waste (domestic and scheduled waste), radioactive waste and chemical waste. JBPM steps in when a fire breaks out and lives are at risk, but before and after that, other agencies must play their role,' he told Bernama recently. Under the National Security Council Directive No. 20, JBPM is the lead agency for handling disasters involving chemical, radiological, nuclear, and hazardous materials, while AELB provides technical expertise for radiological and nuclear emergencies. Farhan Sufyan said that according to Kelantan JBPM statistics, 207 out of 1,827 open burning cases recorded last year involved waste collection sites, which pose significant risks when unfiltered waste is allowed to accumulate. 'We're talking about smouldering fire or slow-burning fires under piles of rubbish. These are not easily visible but can spread without warning, and that's the real danger,' he said.
The Sun
05-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Kelantan Fire Dept expands water safety training to curb drowning cases
KOTA BHARU: The Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department is expanding its water safety training programme to tackle the rising number of drowning incidents in the state, particularly among teenagers. State director Farhan Sufyan Borhan said the 'water confidence' training, which teaches how to stay calm, controlled and safe when in or near water, will begin in June with 70 fire cadets in Bachok and gradually extend to other districts. School students will also be included in later phases. 'Until now, cadet training focused mostly on firefighting and rescue. This year, we're shifting focus to help young people gain confidence in the water and respond calmly in emergencies,' he noted. Farhan was speaking to reporters at the launch of a new ACGas liquified petroleum gas (LPG) composite cylinder warehouse in the state today. He added that participants will learn how to float, swim and perform basic first aid under the guidance of certified instructors. The move follows a worrying trend when 23 people drowned in Kelantan last year, with 15 of them teenagers. So far this year, 12 deaths have been reported, including two Orang Asli teens who drowned in Kuala Krai earlier today. Meanwhile, Nik Mohd Fareez, Astana City Group Sdn Bhd's chief executive officer, overseeing ACGas, said the company aims to distribute one million of its new composite cylinders nationwide this year. Each comes with a unique identification to help prevent misuse of subsidised gas. 'We're also expanding our network of distributors across all districts. Most deliveries can reach homes within two hours,' he added.
