By Ms Hafiqah Binti Hussain, Lecturer, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences
Six SEGi College Sarawak’s Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health students visited the Padungan Fire Rescue Station to expand their knowledge on essential fire skills. Our arrival at Padungan Fire Rescue Station, they were greeted by firefighter Asranata bin Karta.
The purpose of the visit was to allow the students to gain first-hand knowledge of the life of a firefighter and the equipment and safety procedures involved in firefighting. As safety and health practitioners, they should know how to face accidents related to fire in real-life situations.
The Chief Officer, TPGB II Tan Min Cha, gave a briefing on the Padungan Fire Rescue Station. He explained the fire station’s history, the fire department’s laws and regulations, their schedules, and all the personal protective equipment. The students were given the opportunity to wear personal protective equipment used by the firefighters.
The students were then briefed by the fire officer on the use of firefighter engines and all the essential equipment for fire-rescue missions. They then had the chance to explore the fire engine inside and outside. They also got to learn about the functions of the fire engine, the ambulance and the rapid intervention motorcycle use by firefighters.
The students were also given the chance to do a demonstration on the use of the fire extinguisher by using PASS method (Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep) which they already learned theoretically in class. They were able to identify the correct method of putting out a fire by using the a suitable fire extinguisher.
Overall, the visit was very valuable to the students as they could improve their understanding of the firefighter profession, and related safety matters as how to properly put out a fire.
SEGi College Sarawak continues to bring industry into the classroom for our students’ optimum learning experience.