Malaysia identifies 81 locations needing new fire stations amid expansion plans

The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has pinpointed 81 locations across the country that necessitate the construction of new fire stations. This identification stems from a comprehensive risk analysis of fire hazards, considering the area's size and risk level.

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Besides the 359 existing and under-construction stations, we have made alignments based on fire risks across the country.

JBPM currently manages 344 fire stations, with an additional 15 stations in various stages of construction, expected to be completed within one to four years. However, the analysis revealed the need for 81 more stations to ensure more effective and ideal operational responses within a 100-kilometer radius assessment zone. Four proposals for these new stations have been submitted to the Ministry of Economy and Ministry of Finance for consideration in the Second Rolling Plan (RP2), while the remaining 77 are prioritized by the department.

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We assess the fire risk within every 100-kilometer (km) square area, and from that analysis, we found that there are 81 more locations that require the construction of new fire stations to enable operations to be carried out more ideally.

JBPM's Director-General, Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad, stated that the determination of new station locations is dynamic and subject to review based on development progress in each state. He also announced that JBPM has received approval from the Public Service Department (JPA) and the Ministry of Finance to fill 560 vacant positions nationwide.

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The determination of fire station construction locations is not static because it will be constantly reviewed according to development in each state.

Of the 560 approved vacancies, 38 have been filled from existing reserve lists. The remaining 522 positions will be advertised this year, with recruitment utilizing the Public Service Commission (SPA) candidate bank for potential appointments early next year. These new hires are intended to replace approximately 1,900 existing vacancies across the country. Nor Hisham added that additional staffing requests will be made for any newly constructed fire stations based on operational needs.

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This recruitment is to replace existing vacancies totaling approximately 1,900 positions nationwide. For new stations that are completed, we will also request additional staffing according to operational needs.