JOHOR BARU: The Fire and Rescue Department is hoping to fill some 1,483 vacancies nationwide to improve response times and increase the number of personnel deployed at stations.
Director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said at the moment, about 500 trainees were undergoing training around the country.
"We will have two more intakes to ensure we have adequate manpower at our 338 stations nationwide," he told reporters after presenting service awards to 175 firemen and auxiliary firefighters here on Monday (April 29).
He added that the department currently has 13,265 personnel nationwide.
For the time being, the department was counting on auxiliaries to fill the vacancies but he said there was a high turnover rate.
Nor Hisham also said that by 2028, the department expects to have some 150 advanced compact fire engines suitable for deployment in both urban areas and in rural areas with narrow roads.
"For a start we will be sending at least two of the five engines we will be getting soon to Johor.
"We are also refurbishing at least 30 old engines at a cost of RM600,000 each," he said, adding that refurbished fire engines could continue to operate for 10 more years.
He said it was important for Johor to be ready to handle any major fires and disasters especially with rapid development arising from the special economic zone with Singapore and special financial zone in Forest City.
