Applause filled Penang Chinese Town Hall as the community paid tribute to more than 30 years of sacrifice and silent service by the Lebuh Bakau Volunteer Fire Brigade.
The brigade, a familiar presence in Sungai Pinang, received an allocation of RM10,000 this year from Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, at its fundraising dinner and appreciation night at the town hall in Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, George Town.
The amount was in addition to the RM50,000 from Sim last year meant to strengthen the brigade’s operations and services.
Sim said the assistance was meant to enhance the unit’s capacity to serve.
“These volunteers remain committed despite many challenges.
“They are always ready when duty calls.
“In spite of all the volunteers holding permanent jobs, they continue to serve diligently,” he said, adding that similar support had been extended to other volunteer brigades across Penang.
For the men and women of Lebuh Bakau, such support is about preparedness.
Sim said the brigade was established in 1993 and responded to between 30 and 40 emergencies annually.
“The Lebuh Bakau Volunteer Fire Brigade has stood as a symbol of community self-reliance.
“Members are not full-time firefighters.
“They are shopkeepers, technicians, drivers and businessmen, ordinary citizens who choose to shoulder extraordinary responsibility.
“Emergencies such as pandemics, floods and fires can arrive without warning; the value of trained volunteers cannot be overstated.”
Brigade chairman Ong Theam Hock in his speech described the team’s rhythm of service in a simple but resolute manner: “Disasters do not wait.
“Whether floods or water shortages, our team is ready to respond immediately.
“Since 2020, we have operated from a temporary site along Karpal Singh Drive without the facilities that a permanent headquarters could provide.
“Equipment storage, training space and operational efficiency have all been constrained.
“Yet our operations never stopped because the community depends on us.”
Theam Hock revealed that now, with land secured in Sungai Pinang and groundbreaking completed last June, the permanent headquarters was finally taking shape.
Fundraising committee chairman Datuk Albert Moh reminded guests that emergency response was only the tip of a much larger commitment by the volunteers.
“Behind every siren is training, preparation and constant readiness.
“Volunteer firefighters answer calls regardless of convenience, leaving dinners, sleep or family time behind.
“Their readiness is not occasional, it is perpetual.”
State social development, welfare and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman and Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim called it one of the area’s long-established volunteer units.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic, the team carried out nearly 30 disinfection operations.
“When water-supply disruptions hit Penang, members delivered water to affected residents, including old folks homes and orphanages,” she said.
“Their work, often unrecognised, extend beyond extinguishing flames, and with state support, the brigade has secured a site for its new headquarters.
“The facility will allow proper training, storage and community education activities such as fire drills and safety programmes.”
Lim also contributed RM28,000 towards the brigade, with an additional RM5,000 from state tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, RM2,000 from Batu Lanchang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong and RM1,000 each from Seri Delima assemblyman Connie Tan and Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Syn Tze.
The dinner raised RM465,000 from some 90 donors.
Also present were Penang Fire and Rescue Department director Mohamad Shoki Hamzah, former state executive councillor Datuk Seri Phee Boon Poh, Penang Island City Council councillors Lee Wei Seang and Koay Gaik Kee, Lebuh Bakau Volunteer Fire Brigade advisor Datuk Tan Eng Leong and Koid Teng Guan who represented Wong.
