HIS Royal Highness Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, graced a grand parade to mark the 50th anniversary of the Fire and Rescue Department yesterday.

On arrival at the Fire and Rescue Department headquarters at the Old Airport, His Royal Highness was greeted by Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohd Yusof and Director of Fire and Rescue Department Yahya Hj Abdul Rahman.

After being accorded the Royal Salute, His Royal Highness inspected the guard of honour mounted by fire and rescue personnel. The event proceeded with the slow- and fast-paced march past the Crown Prince before His Royal Highness delivered a sabda.

The Crown Prince witnessed live demonstrations by fire and rescue personnel simulating their response in emergency situations, including the use of fire engines and motorcycles and a simulated fire put out by fire and rescue cadets and volunteers, and 50 fire and rescue personnel pulling a water tanker filled with 5,000 litres of water.

The field performances ended with a choir performance and card show performed with colourful nozzle jets and water curtains flowing in the background.

His Royal Highness was then led to tour an exhibition.

This was followed by the signing of the plaque in remembrance of His Royal Highness' visit to the Fire and Rescue Department to celebrate the department's Golden Jubilee.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Dewa Pahlawan Dato Paduka Hj Dani Hj Ibrahim, permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries, as well as senior officials from the Fire and Rescue Department and National Disaster Management Centre.

At present, the department has more than 1,400 personnel, and 17 fire stations strategically located around the country in which its operations cover both land and water.

The roles and responsibilities of the department are not limited to putting out fires, but also include rescue, conducting fire investigations as well as raising awareness in the community on fire safety and disaster management.

To mark its golden jubilee, the Fire and Rescue Department will be staging awareness roadshows, charity activities and religious ceremonies throughout the month.

The Brunei Times