Fire dept seeks more tools, manpower for rescue ops

 July 7, 2022/ Khmer Times

As number of high-rise buildings is on the rise, rescuers need modern equipment and manpower to handle fire-related accidents, said a top official yesterday.

“We are in need of firefighting equipment and have asked the government to provide more rescue tools,” Lieutenant General Neth Vantha, director of Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department, said yesterday, while receiving Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) testing machine from Cambodian Fairwind Enterprises Company Limited yesterday.

“The VOCs will help the department to provide training to the prevention unit in order to improve their ability to identify the cause when a fire breaks out,” he added.

“Now we have a firefighter truck, and some other equipment. These are not enough because our country is growing and many high-risers are coming up. Which also means, the Department of Fire and Rescue will be facing obstacles, if the issue is not addressed on time.”

Lt Gen Vantha said that there are six fire trucks with long ladders for Phnom Penh.

He asked, “What will we do for provinces having high-rise buildings in special economic zones such as Popet, Svay Rieng, Sihanoukville, Siem Reap?

He noted that in foreign countries firefighting tools are in accordance with the number of buildings to ensure the safety of people and property.

“We have nearly 2,000 rescuers and recently the government has handed over fire trucks to almost all districts. But we do have a management team who are adequately trained. Besides, we are in need of fire truckers and fighter suits,” he added.