KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 24,283 Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department personnel are prepared for the upcoming northeast monsoon season, which is expected to occur from November this year to March 2024.
The preparations carried out by the Department included training to enhance boat handling skills, as well as water rescue team and swift water rescue training.
Datuk Ahmad Irzam Osman, the director of Fire and Rescue Operations, stated that they will also conduct inspections of all assets, such as lifeboats and marine equipment, to ensure they are in good condition.
While speaking to Bernama recently, he added, “Personnel leave will be suspended as necessary and response team working hours may be changed from 12 to 24 hours depending on the situation in order to ensure an adequate number of operational members are on duty.”
Prior to this, the Department had identified 4,795 flood-prone areas across Malaysia, with Sarawak having the highest number of locations at 1,034, followed by Kelantan (595), Pahang (554), Sabah (520), Johor (432), and Selangor (307).
The Department has also identified 281 flood-prone areas in Penang, followed by Perak (265), Terengganu (262), Kedah (228), Melaka (124), Negeri Sembilan (92), Kuala Lumpur (35), and Labuan (18).
Datuk Dr Wan Mohammad Zaidi Wan Isa, the director of the Pahang Department, mentioned that only 20% of their 900 staff members will be allowed to take leave during the northeast monsoon period, depending on the circumstances. He said, “Basically, the resources in Pahang are sufficient. If there is a major flood, for example, like what occurred in 2020 and 2021, we will utilize assets from states that are not affected by floods.”
Mohd Wildan Azhari, the deputy director (Operations Division) of the Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department, stated that approximately 1,250 personnel are on standby. He further added that measures are being taken to suspend all leave in the event of unusually severe flood situations. He stated, “So far, there are enough assets in Kelantan, and they are all in good condition. We have 11 five-ton trucks, 60 boats of various types including fibreglass and aluminium, and 40 four-wheel drive vehicles.”
Mohd Wildan also advised the public to prepare for the monsoon transition period by familiarizing themselves with the location of temporary evacuation centers and ensuring the safety of important documents. – Bernama
Credit: The Star : News Feed
