Malaysia’s first floating fire station located near Semporna Tourism Pier which is completely built on the surface of water is now fully operational and faster response time is assured from the fire station, if an emergency situation occurs in the vicinity.

Kamarulzaman Malik Abdullah, State Fire and Rescue Department Director said the RM200,000 fire station is necessary to save lives and property in view of the many fires that have taken place in squatter settlements lately. It would be an example to other states particularly in the east coast of Sabah, southwest coast of Sabah as well as the north of Sabah due to many such settlements that have the risk of fire.

He added  “The fire station will be led by a station chief together with three supervising officers and 20 firefighters well-versed on the area besides being trained and efficient in dealing with emergencies. It is also equipped with three boats for fire fighting, emergency service assistance unit (EMRS) as well as for search and rescue (SAR) operations. Next year, we will plan to build a boat dock and an observation tower at the station.” 

Earlier, Zuraida Kamaruddin, Federal Housing and Local Government Minister had said that a Category E station would be built at Pulau Banggi, Kudat, to be managed by a volunteer fire fighting team.