Despite going through a rough patch as many did not have much confidence in her ability to helm the Kedah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) in 2019, making her the first woman in the country to hold the position, this has not stopped Sayani Saidon from excelling in her firefighting career.

The 52-year-old ‘Mama Yani’, as she is affectionately known by fellow firefighters, now leads the Perak JBPM, making her the first female to assume the post in the state.

“My mission here is to ensure machinery and skill readiness and the welfare of personnel. I will continue to shoulder the trust that has been placed in me from Kedah to this state,” she said in an exclusive interview with Bernama here, recently.

The mother of three daughter, aged between 26 and 17, said that the three aspects are crucial to achieving the state JBPM’s mission and vision and ensuring the continued improvement of the fire service in protecting people’s lives and property.

On machinery readiness, Sayani, who began her duties as JBPM Perak director earlier this month, said that 70 per cent of the tools and equipment, including operational vehicles, must always be in excellent condition and ready for use at all times.

“The remaining 30 per cent that is not available for use must be in the repair phase and can be utilised once it’s fixed.

“We cannot provide a good service if firefighters are dispatched (to the scene) but (the machinery) cannot function properly. So our machinery assets must always be in a state of readiness,” said the Perak native.

The only daughter of five siblings said her personnel’s skills in the specialised field of rescue must also be strengthened because the state has one of the longest highway networks involving the North-South Expressway.

Sayani said the situation required her personnel to always be on high alert at all times in order to deal with road traffic accidents.

On the welfare of her personnel, Sayani said the aspect must be well taken care of to ensure that all of them are available for mobilisation at any time.

At the same time, Sayani said she was determined to wipe out drug abuse and disciplinary issues among her officers and personnel.

Meanwhile, she said out of a total of 1,301 posts, 1,200 full-time fire officer (PSM) positions are already filled at 35 fire and rescue stations around the state.

“At the same time, 24 of the 35 stations are assisted by 248 auxiliary fire officers. So with the help of these auxiliary fire officers, we are able to cover the shortage and function optimally,” she said.

Speaking about the difficulties of being a female in a male-dominated field, Sayani said that her biggest challenge had been convincing the upper management that they had made the right choice in appointing her as state director.

“I took on the role of JBPM Kedah director (in 2019) with the belief that it was fated for me to hold the post, and I did my best to lead over 800 personnel at that time. In Perak, the challenge was even greater, as I was responsible for more than 1,000 members.

“Despite the fact that the majority of my subordinates are male and female firefighters make up less than five percent of the total (members) in the country, the fact that I am a woman does not hinder my ability to lead,” she said.

Adopting a family-like work culture, she emphasised the importance of always cooperating with all levels of officers and personnel without leaving anyone behind.

“I have always believed that everyone has a role in determining the success and excellence of the department. Everyone has a part to play and is responsible for ensuring that we are not passengers.

“I always say that we need to make sure our intentions are right when we work. We often hear people say ‘my home is my heaven’, but we must also consider our work as an act of worship,” she said.

Sayani was appointed as Perak JBPM director on June 1 to replace Azmi Osman, who went on mandatory retirement.

Sayani, who was then the deputy director of the Perak JBPM, was promoted to lead the Kedah JBPM in March 2019, becoming the first female officer to hold such a position in Malaysia.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency