Occurring just once every six decades, the Year of the Fire Horse symbolises intensity, courage and relentless drive.
Those same qualities define volunteer firefighters who remain on standby during Chinese New Year and other public holidays, ensuring communities stay safe while others celebrate.
In Chinese culture, the idiom han ma gong lao honours merit earned through tireless effort in the face of formidable challenges.
In that spirit, StarMetro shines the spotlight on two volunteer fire departments whose quiet dedication rarely makes headlines.
Kepong, Batu fire volunteers
Chinese New Year and other festive seasons are especially busy times for the Kepong and Batu Volunteer Fire Department (PBSKB).
“We have several volunteers stationed at our centre during this period.
“Others who are at home must remain contactable and ready to respond immediately.”
PBSKB is currently based at Jinjang Fire and Rescue Station in Jinjang Utara, Kuala Lumpur, where members coordinate emergency responses, training sessions, community outreach programmes and disaster relief operations.
Of its 126 members, over 60 are active, and approximately 20% are women.
Loke, 50, the managing director of an automotive lubricant manufacturer and distributor, said being on duty during Chinese New Year was like working on any other day.
He recalls being nervous during his initial years.
“My family understands that this responsibility sometimes means missing reunion dinners.
“They are supportive, knowing my duty is to ensure others can celebrate safely.
“We either celebrate earlier or later when duty calls,” he said.
Compared to professional firefighters, Loke said volunteers worked in their spare time and received minimal financial compensation, aside for an annual RM3,000 allocation from the Fire and Rescue Department.
“However, in terms of responsibility, commitment and risk, there is no difference,” he added.
“We respond to the same emergencies, follow the same safety procedures and work closely with professional firefighters as one team.”
The PBSKB team operates through a combination of self-funding, public donations and support from sponsors.
Both were motivated by a strong sense of responsibility to give back to the community.
Businessman Ong, 56, is a man of few words but quick action.
“I believe that when people are in danger, someone must be willing to step forward.
“It is not just about firefighting, but about serving people when they need help the most.”
Ong said the team handled everything from fires and road traffic accidents to flood rescues as well as search and rescue operations.
“When there are no calls, we focus on training and equipment checks. The festive season demands more from us as incidents tend to spike.
“My wife and parents support my decision, though they still worry.
“I tell them I am trained to prioritise my personal safety,” said Ong, who usually spends the first two days of Chinese New Year with his family before reporting for duty.
Ong said his son and daughter have been trained to provide first aid, and was hopeful one of them would join him as a fellow volunteer firefighter.
The team’s latest recruit, Taher Yusuf, 27, said it was a fascination with the varied roles of the Fire and Rescue Department that inspired him to sign up.
Taher is currently completing his six-month training.
“The training equips us with a clear understanding of our roles and equipment, ensuring we are ready to respond to any situation.
The data analyst said volunteers kept their gear close at hand for immediate use.
“We assist professional firefighters and provide first aid if we arrive first.
“While we are ready to help, we are trained to avoid unnecessary risks,” he said.
Taher recommends the experience to other young people.
“You gain valuable skills while serving the community.
“’With good time management, there’s still space to socialise and pursue personal interests,” said Taher, who unwinds by playing squash and kayaking.
Taman Sri Serdang team
Chai Chun Hui said the multi-racial team at Taman Sri Serdang Volunteer Fire Department (PBS Serdang) in Selangor operates on a rotation system – those observing a particular festival are given time off while other volunteers cover the shift.
“I can celebrate Chinese New Year, but I am on duty during Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Deepavali,” said Chai, 30, a volunteer firefighter of three years who likened the experience to serving the community and country.
“On non-festive occasions, I work weekends and on certain days after office hours.”
Chai, a former state taekwondo representative, thought he was fit until he joined PBS Serdang.
“As a martial artist, I had to be flexible and nimble, but a firefighter has to be really strong to carry heavy equipment.
“The fire-resistant jacket and breathing apparatus weigh up to 20kg in total.
“So I go to the gym and jog to stay in shape,” he said.
The senior finance executive said time and stress management were vital to balancing his role at a property company with his volunteer work.
“My superior is supportive. While my parents worry, I have assured them I am trained for the role,” said Chai.
“The PBS Serdang team trains at Serdang Fire and Rescue Station regularly to ensure we know how to handle equipment properly and manage various emergency situations.”
PBS Serdang has an operations centre located next to a community hall in Kampung Baru Seri Kembangan.
Siti Nurfitriah Md Sahid, better known as Fifie, is one of four women in the 52-strong team.
“Coincidentally, three of us have a paramedic or nursing background, which is helpful for emergency life support cases.
“My full-time job involves medical evacuation and emergency medical services, while volunteering focuses on firefighting and emergency operations.
“Both ultimately revolve around rescue work,” said Siti Nurfitriah, a paramedic with a private company who has been a PBS Serdang volunteer for a year.
The 28-year-old observed that the team was busier during festive seasons, responding to firecrackers, kitchen fires, gas leaks and road traffic accidents.
“In terms of training, women undergo the same physical rigours as the men,” she said.
“To ensure we can carry the chainsaw or hose weighing 10kg or more while enduring intense firefighting, we flip 100kg tyres and complete 2.4km runs within a set time frame during training.”
Jaganraj Vijayan, 22, was fascinated by firefighters since childhood and joined the cadets during secondary school.
“What triggered me to sign up was my own house catching fire in 2020, believed to be due to an electrical fault,” he said.
“I was impressed by how quickly the professional firefighters responded.
“While the upper floor was gutted, no lives were lost.”
Jaganraj is a senior officer with PBS Serdang, serving as a volunteer firefighter for four years and an auxiliary firefighter for over a year.
He said while auxiliary firefighters were paid an hourly rate and formally appointed, volunteers served purely out of a desire to help.
“I see this as a way of helping people and communities in need.
“It is a money-can’t-buy experience,” said Jaganraj, whose day job is in a family-run transport business.
“Our work varies daily. During the dry season, we tackle forest and dumpsite fires.
“During the year-end monsoon season, we assist with flood relief and evacuation, having gone as far as Kelantan, Johor and southern Thailand for flood missions.”
On other days, his team usually gets calls to remove creatures such as snakes and monitor lizards.
Jaganraj recalled the Putra Heights explosion last year as the most unforgettable incident in his service.
“Professional and volunteer firefighters worked together to rescue lives,” he said.
“I was part of the team rescuing animals and returning them to their owners.
“It was a massive tragedy, and we just tried to help wherever we could.”
