THE Fire and Rescue Department needs to further raise its level of preparedness by strengthening its capacity to deliver its services through a comprehensive development strategy, His Royal Highness General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office said yesterday.

In his sabda delivered at a parade to mark the department's golden jubilee, His Royal Highness said that a comprehensive human-resource-development strategy would enable all ranks of personnel become more knowledgeable, multi-skilled and able to maintain a high level of professionalism.

His Royal Highness said that a more systematic and comprehensive collaborative effort must be developed in order to strengthen the department's capability and efficiency in not only overcoming disasters, but also the identification and implementation of appropriate measures against factors that may contribute to disasters.

"This includes competency in utilisation of assets, tools and equipment, as well as appropriate high technology info-communication systems that will enhance and complement the level of efficiency and effectiveness of the service," HRH said. Action plans and collaborative operational procedures with relevant agencies should be constantly monitored, analysed and coordinated to ensure that operations are carried out efficiently and accomplish their objectives, HRH added.

The Crown Prince also said that public outreach programmes, such as volunteer firemen, fire and rescue cadets and fire-prevention roadshows, should continue and be further improved to nurture awareness and better preparedness in the community in overcoming and minimising any impact of possible disasters.

"The enforcement of and compliance with safety standards should continue to be constantly improved , in concurrence with the need for coordinated training with relevant agencies to overcome incidents or threats of disaster, including those that are non-conventional, to raise the nation's overall level of preparedness," said His Royal Highness.

"In the context of regional and international cooperation and relations, the Fire and Rescue Department should equip itself and elevate its capacity, particularly in the conduct of disaster operations, and gain new skills relevant to supporting the National Disaster Management Centre in responding to public emergencies, which should be planned based on a worst-case scenario," HRH added.

The Fire and Rescue Department has gone through various challenges and gained considerable experience which have established the department as an agency that performs an important role in maintaining the safety and well-being of the citizens and residents in the country, HRH said.

"The people of Brunei have come to believe in the Fire and Rescue Department as the core agency responsible for rendering assistance and rescue services in the event of emergencies and disasters," the Crown Prince said.

Referring to the natural disasters caused by global climate change in other countries, HRH said, "We in this country are most grateful to Allah (SWT) The Almighty for His grace and His blessings in protecting our community as well as our country from most of these serious natural disasters, though we were also affected by incidents of flooding and landslides last year."

Although these incidents in Brunei were not severe compared with disasters elsewhere, they have tested the capability and preparedness of the Fire and Rescue Department as well as all related agencies, HRH added.

"Alhamdulillah, with the commitment, cooperation and full support of all agencies of His Majesty's Government, as well as the active participation of non-governmental bodies and the community in general, we have been able to overcome these challenges," HRH said.

The Brunei Times