NEWS.....
'Fire Safety is everyone's baby'
THE SUN, April 3

PETALING JAYA, Sun : Fire safety is everyone's responsibility.

This is the view if the Chief Adviser to the Malaysian Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association (MVFRA0, Datuk Lee Lam Thye who launched the Zero Fire campaign here today.

LITTLE FIREFIGHTER ...Five-year-old pre-schooler Christine Yip Sze Hui, dressed in the uniform of the Malaysian Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, is the youngest member for its Fire Kids Club. She turned up for the Zero Fire launch and  became an instant hit with everyone. Christine is seen paying close attention to tips from senior volunteers S. Naga and Nazarul Ismail.

He said there is a general misconception that creating and sustaining a fire safety environment is the sole responsibility of fire authorities and related professionals.

In the event of fire the public - people at home, workers in factories and offices - are the first to respond, Lee said.

Lee said the Fire and Rescue Department is usually at the scene of the fire a little later and it is therefore necessary for people including housewives, schoolchildren and workers to take a keen interest in creating a safe environment.

Lee also said that last year 840 cases of building fires were reported by the City Fire Department with a total loss of RM 27.6 million.

He also said the same authority issued 467 notices to various establishments including shopping complexes, educational institutions and hotels last year for not complying with fire safety regulations.

He said most of these establishments were issued notices for not having proper emergency exits, fire hoses and smoke detectors at their premises.

This proves that we are a long way from creating fire safety awareness among Malaysians and that is why a concerted effort is necessary, added Lee.

Lee also lauded the initiative and effort of the MVFRA which has been spearheading efforts to create a fire-free culture since it was established in .

The Zero Fire launch today was sponsored by Ace Synergy Insurance Berhad..

The company's chief executive officer, Cliff Lee Koon Yew, also presented a RM3,000 cheque to Lee in support of MVFRA which has a five year plan to promote a fire-free nation.

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