Urban folk gear up to face trial by fire
WHEN firemen helped her put on a turnout coat and a helmet – personal protective equipment used by firefighters – Fadzila Abdul Ghaffor, 27, was nervous.

She was taking part in an exercise held during the community- based fire responders for George Town Unesco World Heritage Site Programme at the George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) building in Lebuh Acheh, Penang.

The State Secretariat office employee was also handed a fire extinguisher to put out a small fire at the event.

“It was just too heavy for me and I panicked because of the heat from the fire.

A participant learning how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation using an AED.

“Fortunately, the firefighters were there to guide me on how to hold and angle the extinguisher to put out the fire,” said Fadzila, who had previously attended fire prevention programmes but had never experienced putting out an actual fire.

“This is something new to me, but it will definitely be helpful in the event of a fire,” she said.

Her colleague S. Sugaanthi, 27, said attending such programmes was an eye-opener for her as she also learnt other essential fire safety tips.

“This is useful indeed for the community. By learning how to prevent and respond to a fire, we will be able to save lives,” she said, adding that she now felt confident using a fire extinguisher and would not panic in the event of a fire.

Another participant, Puah Seok Yong, 47, a clerk at Kwangtung and Tengchow Association in Penang Street, said she learnt what not to do in the event of a fire.

“We were trained to never hide inside a bathroom when a fire breaks out as it would become a death trap,” she said.

Puah said the event also created awareness among residents, owners of premises, tenants, business operators and staff about fire hazards and how to take steps to protect the heritage buildings.

More than 30 participants attended the programme at the GTWHI office in George Town.

(From left) Ang looking on as Mahadzir receives a certificate of appreciation from Chow. With them are Teh, Wong and Ambika.

The programme was partially funded from a RM25mil grant from the Federal Government’s initiative for the conservation and preservation of the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site.

It was aimed at protecting heritage sites from fires, improving protection measures and enhancing community resilience during fire emergencies.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who launched the programme, said George Town had more than 3,700 heritage buildings, which were mostly over 100 years old and mainly constructed with timber.

“Hence, they need to be equipped with enhanced fire safety systems, well-established emergency escape routes, and modern utility systems – all of which play a crucial role in safeguarding our heritage buildings and reducing their vulnerability to fire risks,” he said.

He added that programmes such as this should be continuous and conducted long term to serve as a platform to foster dialogue and understanding between communities, government agencies and the Fire and Rescue Department.

Fadzila: This is something new to me but it will definitely be helpful in the event of a fire.

GTWHI general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee, in her speech, said the programme was organised twice in 2019, benefitting 100 local communities.

She noted that between 2015 and 2023, there were 11 fire incidents within the heritage site affecting some 25 heritage buildings and impacting about 20 families, their livelihoods and businesses.

“Besides conserving and preserving George Town’s built heritage, it is also equally crucial to prioritise the well-being of the people who use these heritage buildings,” she said.

Beach Street Fire Station chief Mahadzir Magribi conducted a briefing on how to prevent fire and how stakeholders could respond to fire incidents before help arrived.

Sugaanthi: By learning how to prevent and respond to a fire, we will be able to save lives.

Firefighters also demonstrated how to use basic equipment to put out a small fire.

Participants were given hands-on training on how to use a fire extinguisher.

There was also an automated external defibrillator (AED) demonstration.

Also present at the event were Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng and Penang State Secretariat Office head of disaster management unit Ambika Devi.
Heritage site community gets hands-on training as first responders in George Town.