Chor inspecting the guard-of-honor at the launch of the 'Chinese New Year Ops'.

SHAH ALAM: A total of 9,100 fire-fighters from 264 fire and rescue stations nationwide have been deployed to respond to fire and accidents in the 'Chinese New Year Ops' from Monday till Feb 18.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung said 240 of them would be patrolling round the clock on rotation along 16 accident-prone stretches in Juru, Slim River, Senawang, and Yong Peng.

"Members of volunteer fire squads will also be on standby to assist fire-fighters at the 16 locations," he told reporters after launching the Chinese New Year Ops and handing over fire engines to eight fire and rescue squads from the state, here Tuesday.

In his speech, he said the Fire and Rescue Department was allocated RM328.936mil under the second rolling plan of the 10th Malaysia Plan for the construction, upgrading and maintenance of fire stations, procurement of equipment, research and development, multimedia, information and communication technology, land acquisition, and fire prevention campaigns.

He said the department acquired 100 fire tenders worth RM171mil, five prime movers worth RM2.425mil, and 30 fire-response vehicles worth RM3.648mil, in 2012.

On fire-fighting equipment, he said the department bought 1,000 pairs of fire-fighting suits, 500 fire-fighting helmets, 20 pairs of chemical protective suit, and 40 sets of scuba gear.

He said to date, there were 15,575 members of 354 volunteer fire and rescue squads nationwide assisting the department in dealing with fire and rescue operations in rural areas and remote towns where there were no fire station. - Bernama

• KPJ Healthcare Q1 earnings down 24.7% to RM25m
• Boustead Q1 earnings down 30.9% on weaker CPO prices
• More dividends from Pacific & Orient
• CIMB, Tenaga up as KLCI again eyes 1,800 (Update)
• Bumi Armada advances to high of RM4.14 on firmer earnings
• Samchem eyes Vietnam, to contribute 30% of group revenue
• BOJ keeps policy on hold; Kiuchi proposes looser price target timeframe
• Suria Capital, SBC Corp in RM1.8b Sabah JV
• CIMB advances in early trade, Dayang in focus
• RHB Research downgrades Dayang Enterprise to Neutral
• Alliance Research ups CIMB Group’s target price to RM9.64
• JF Apex Research ups Bumi Armada FV to RM4.27
• Dow, S&P end at all time high on Fed officials' reassurance
• China's bird flu outbreak cost US$6.5bil loss
• Microsoft unveils Xbox One with Spielberg, Activision tie-up

• US experts reject murder theory in scientist's death
• Polish mine launches salt photo contest
• Thunder star Durant pledges $1mil for tornado relief
• Amazon plans greenhouse-style headquarters

• Injured Murray withdraws from French Open
• Ramy wins fiery battle of words and deeds
• Low Wee Wern fails to clear opening round again in British Open
• Teenager Addeen gets massive boost Down Under
• Hosts Malaysia make a tame exit at the hands of Germany
• Denmark not prepared to take on mighty China just yet
• Japanese upset Danes and Joo-bong is all smiles
• Dane loves to unwind with her Modern Family
• Tommy not afraid to play for country despite loss
• It’s the last $traw thanks to the BWF
• BAM: There will be no more sweeping under the carpet
• Cyclists give the thumbs up to world-class velodrome
• Australian Evans says Giro dream still alive
• Savinder Kaur is new middle distance queen after 1,500m victory
• Elena walks her way to a new record

• Please wait.

• Sarawak leaders triple their salaries
• HR manager laments declining standard of English
• Loan sharks making life hell for retiree
• EPF invests more abroad, investment assets exceed half-a-trillion ringgit
• Leave troubles behind with irresistible AirAsia deals
• Suria Capital, SBC Corp in RM1.8b Sabah JV
• What is the Irish loophole behind iPhone maker Apple's low tax bill(update)
• Huge education workforce
• Child bride and hubby enjoying married life
• State minister wants teen’s marriage to 40-year-old nullified