Rajiv for Malaysia

EASY TO SPOT : Brightly painted hydrants bring cheer to residents

SUBANG JAYA: FORTY-FIVE hydrants in the USJ13 neighbourhood were checked and given a new coat of paint, through the joint efforts of the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Department and the USJ13 Rukun Tetangga.

Armed with hoes, paint brushes and tins of bright yellow paint, about 30 residents from the neighbourhood and Bomba cadets from SMK USJ13 spent three hours last Saturday cleaning up the areas and repainting hydrants.

Personnel from the SS17 Fire and Rescue Department headed by their station chief Deputy Supt Khairi Daud joined residents in the initiative while checking all hydrants were working.

"We have 5,000 hydrants under our jurisdiction in Subang Jaya, USJ and Putra Heights. Through such community-based initiatives, we can check hydrants in the different neighbourhoods faster and this ensures we have functioning hydrants during an emergency.

"We are continuing our joint programme with the community and welcome any collaboration with residents," he said, adding the department had done similar work in USJ2 several months ago.

Khairi said it was important for residents who have hydrants in front of their homes to keep the surroundings clear.

"We encourage house owners who have hydrants in front of their homes to adopt the units under our Rakan Pili Bomba programme.

"All you need to do under this programme is to ensure the hydrants are not obstructed. If you notice any vandalism or damage to the hydrants, call us and we will come to check and repair them," he said.

Bandar Puteri 8 Residents Association chairman Datuk Samson Maman, who dropped in to learn more about the initiative, said he was inspired by the collaboration between the SS17 Fire and Rescue Department and the community.

"I hope to bring this back to my community in Puchong and replicate it with the Puchong Fire and Rescue Department," he said.

Subang Jaya residents who wish to initiate a similar gotong-royong in their neighbourhood can contact the SS17 Fire and Rescue Deparment at 03-5634 9444.Puchong folk can call the department at 03-8070 7879.