A participant (left) receiving his certificate from Amirudin. With them are Norazam (right) and Mohd Khairuddin at the Shah Alam Fire and Rescue Station.
THIRTY-SEVEN volunteers completed their training under the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department to become first responders during a flood emergency, boosting the state’s capacity in disaster relief.
The five-day training programme aimed to familiarise participants with in-water rescue operations and the equipment used.
They were also trained on how to operate boats and to treat light injuries, as well as perform resuscitation on flood victims.
Selangor human capital development, sports and youth development committee chairman Mohd Khairuddin Othman said the squad was the first of its kind in Malaysia.
He said the programme called “Serve Rescue” attracted 320 applicants, who were screened for fitness before being recruited.
“This batch of volunteers will undergo another training session on how to carry out rescue operations at rivers soon.
The five-day Serve Rescue programme in Shah Alam successfully trained 37 participants to complement the services of the state’s fire department in emergency response. – Photos: IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
“We are also planning on having a similar programme for another batch next month,” he said during the programme’s closing ceremony at the Shah Alam Fire and Rescue Station in Section 15, Shah Alam.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the volunteers were meant to complement the fire department’s services.
“There are no more than 2,000 firefighters in Selangor.
“They are stretched thin as they must cater to some seven million residents.
“The volunteers will be first responders while waiting for firefighters to arrive,” he said.
“Often people mean well and want to help, but when they lack the know-how, they could end up endangering themselves and others.
“It is hoped that this training will familiarise volunteers with what to do during floods, landslides and fires,” Amirudin added.
Also present was Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Norazam Khamis.
