Better work system, pay for volunteer firefighters

NST 2011/10/22

ALOR STAR: More than 360 volunteer firefighting teams will follow a structured and systematic operating procedure soon, said Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung.

Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung says he 

wants volunteer firefighting brigades 

to be a structured organisation similar 

to Rela

He said the new system would help the voluntary firefighters deliver better service and enjoy a duty allowance.

He said the ministry was identifying and drafting the best approach for the operating procedure.

"We want the volunteer firefighting brigades to be a structured organisation similar to the People's Volunteer Corps (Rela), with a hierarchy and chain of command.

"The ministry is also looking into giving volunteers a duty allowance.

"This is the government's way of appreciating volunteers who help the Fire and Rescue Department save lives and properties," he said here yesterday.

Chor, however, said that the ministry had not set a deadline for the introduction of the new operating procedure.

There are 366 volunteer fire fighting teams in the country.

It was reported in August that the Fire Prevention Council hoped the ministry would give volunteers a duty allowance, increase the number of volunteers and boost the morale of members.

Earlier, Chor witnessed the handing over of a fire engine from the Alor Star Rotary Club to the Jalan Kilang Tebu volunteer firefighters brigade.

Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, 100 fire engines, worth RM9.7 million, were distributed to voluntary firefighting brigades.

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