AN average of 38 calls were made daily to Johor Fire and Rescue Department last year, says its director Siti Rohani Nadir.

She said the highest number of cases the department attended to involved humanitarian services, such as helping to capture wild animals, responding to natural disasters or handling chemical leaks.

“Of this number, more than half − 7,602 − were calls for humanitarian services, while 32.9% or 4,509 involved fire.

“Other calls included those related to rescue operations (1,298) and special tasks (293), while the remaining 15 were fake calls,” she said during the department’s monthly assembly at its headquarters.

She noted a downward trend in the number of calls the department received last year compared to 2023, when it handled 14,452 calls.

Siti Rohani said the department had also conducted 1,819 fire investigations, an increase from the 1,412 cases attended to in 2023.

“We will continue to take proactive measures in studying and reviewing technical aspects to ensure that every fire investigation, including arson cases, can be scientifically proven.

“We also hope to produce more fire forensic experts,” she said, adding that the cases investigated involved both structures and vehicles.

Siti Rohani said there was also an increase in the value of assets the department managed to rescue last year compared to 2023.

“Last year, we managed to rescue RM774mil worth of assets, an increase from RM767mil in 2023,” she said.

“However, the value of assets lost also rose from RM186mil in 2023 to RM188mil last year.”

Siti Rohani also noted that the department inspected 2,143 premises last year and issued 318 notices for the elimination of fire hazards.

“We remain committed to enforcing the law and ensuring that fire hazards are removed,” she said.

During the assembly, Siti Rohani handed out certificates of appreciation to department staff, members of the public and media practitioners.