Breaking fast by the fires

Firemen in Sabah working tirelessly throughout ramadan

During the dry spell in Sabah, Muslim firemen have found themselves breaking their fast in fire tankers, by the roadside or in between battling bushfires caused by intense heat and open burning.

Sabah Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Hamsa Isnurdini said fasting during Ramadan, which started on March 12, and putting out fires are their mandatory duties to fulfil.

“This is not to say which is more challenging. But having to deal with the non-stop calls to put out bushfires due to human error and negligence is of course making our fasting more difficult,” he said.

Hamsa added that while current cases are manageable compared to the recent blaze in Kota Belud on March 10, there are still challenges in logistics and manpower due to multiple simultaneous fire calls.

“It is a demanding job when you have to reach fire sites fast in different locations while managing limited fire engines, equipment and manpower,” Hamsa said, adding that they sometimes have trouble getting sufficient water sources.

“We have to be creative when putting out fires and then quickly move on to the next area and do the same thing over again.

“Food and drinks are the last things on our minds,” said Hamsa, adding that they are adults who have been in the line for years, and have been fasting for years too.

There are a total of 371 firemen on duty in all the 25 fire stations in Sabah on Thursday, out of which about two-thirds are Muslims, he said.

Hamsa said duty assignments are adjusted to meet daily needs and shifts.

He urged the public to cooperate with firemen by not burning anything during this dry spell and to ensure cigarette butts are properly extinguished.

“A tiny speck of flame can trigger a whole area of fire, so please help us. We cannot do this alone,” he said.