New fire station opened at Brunei International Airport
Closer look: Minister of Communication Pehin Dato Haji Awang Abu Bakar (Centre) taking a closer look at one of the exhibits during the opening ceremony of the Brunei International Airport Fire Station. Picture: Saifulizam
Thursday, April 17, 2008
WITH construction complete in January 30, the new airport fire station was officially opened yesterday to replace the old one that has been used since 1974.
The guest of honour at yesterday's ceremony was the Ministry of Communications, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong, who was accompanied by permanent secretary, Hj Alaihuddin Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Laila Dato Seri Utama Hj Mohd Taha.
Also present were directors, heads of departments as well as representatives from government and private agencies that provide services to the Brunei International Airport.
As one of the projects under the 7th and 8th National Development Plan costing about $5.4 million, the new building, with an area of about 3,537 sq m, is three times bigger than the previous building.
It houses an administration block, operations block and space to store more than eight heavy vehicles. A special feature of the new building is the multi-purpose hall in the operations block which doubles as the Casualty Clearance Centre in times of emergencies.
The minister and his delegation were then brought on a tour of the premises as well as to view a mini exhibition showcasing preparations and procedures to face emergencies or accidents in the airport.
It gave an image of the standard operating procedures as plans and preparations before, during and after such incidents. The exhibition was put together by the various agencies involved in the Airport Emergency Committee made up of the Royal Brunei Police Force, Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Civil Aviation Department, Royal Customs and Excise Department, National Registration and Immigration Department, and the Royal Brunei Airlines.
Pehin Dato Hj Abu Bakar said that the new building is evidence of the government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's commitment in providing much-needed facilities to improve the performance and operations of the airport fire station.
He stressed the importance of safety and security in air, sea and land transportation. For the development of all three industries in the country, the minister informed those present that "safe, secure and clean environment" encourages safety and security while promoting an environmentally friendly industry as a strategic goal which needs to be executed to realise the vision of the Ministry of Communications, which is "towards a sophisticated society and excellence in communications for enhancing national competitiveness".
In compliance with the Chicago Convention and the International Civil Aviation Standards and Recommended Practices, he added that the airport fire station in particular needs to ensure that it's officers, firefighters, vehicles, equipment and fire extinguishing mediums are at the Fire Protection Category 9 to protect large aircrafts operating in the Brunei International Airport which includes its passengers, pilots, crew and properties in it.
Response time to incidents, which is dependent on the vehicles at hand, he said that vehicles and equipment need to always be in "tip-top condition". On the human front, efficient service is dependent on the efficiency of its workforce. He also reminded members, as a uniformed group, to practice high levels of disciplines as examples to officers and staff at the Civil Aviation Department.
In conjunction with the fire station's opening, two trainee officers and seven female firefighters were recognised for completing a 12-week mandatory course which started in October 22, 2007. In addition, three firefighters were promoted to Senior Firefighters.
The Brunei Times
The guest of honour at yesterday's ceremony was the Ministry of Communications, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong, who was accompanied by permanent secretary, Hj Alaihuddin Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Laila Dato Seri Utama Hj Mohd Taha.
Also present were directors, heads of departments as well as representatives from government and private agencies that provide services to the Brunei International Airport.
As one of the projects under the 7th and 8th National Development Plan costing about $5.4 million, the new building, with an area of about 3,537 sq m, is three times bigger than the previous building.
It houses an administration block, operations block and space to store more than eight heavy vehicles. A special feature of the new building is the multi-purpose hall in the operations block which doubles as the Casualty Clearance Centre in times of emergencies.
The minister and his delegation were then brought on a tour of the premises as well as to view a mini exhibition showcasing preparations and procedures to face emergencies or accidents in the airport.
It gave an image of the standard operating procedures as plans and preparations before, during and after such incidents. The exhibition was put together by the various agencies involved in the Airport Emergency Committee made up of the Royal Brunei Police Force, Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Civil Aviation Department, Royal Customs and Excise Department, National Registration and Immigration Department, and the Royal Brunei Airlines.
Pehin Dato Hj Abu Bakar said that the new building is evidence of the government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's commitment in providing much-needed facilities to improve the performance and operations of the airport fire station.
He stressed the importance of safety and security in air, sea and land transportation. For the development of all three industries in the country, the minister informed those present that "safe, secure and clean environment" encourages safety and security while promoting an environmentally friendly industry as a strategic goal which needs to be executed to realise the vision of the Ministry of Communications, which is "towards a sophisticated society and excellence in communications for enhancing national competitiveness".
In compliance with the Chicago Convention and the International Civil Aviation Standards and Recommended Practices, he added that the airport fire station in particular needs to ensure that it's officers, firefighters, vehicles, equipment and fire extinguishing mediums are at the Fire Protection Category 9 to protect large aircrafts operating in the Brunei International Airport which includes its passengers, pilots, crew and properties in it.
Response time to incidents, which is dependent on the vehicles at hand, he said that vehicles and equipment need to always be in "tip-top condition". On the human front, efficient service is dependent on the efficiency of its workforce. He also reminded members, as a uniformed group, to practice high levels of disciplines as examples to officers and staff at the Civil Aviation Department.
In conjunction with the fire station's opening, two trainee officers and seven female firefighters were recognised for completing a 12-week mandatory course which started in October 22, 2007. In addition, three firefighters were promoted to Senior Firefighters.
The Brunei Times
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