The Fire and Rescue Department has 450 boat crew members with the necessary water logistics and machinery to tackle floods. — Filepic
A TOTAL of 330 firefighters from the rapid deployment teams are on standby to be sent to 22 locations throughout Peninsular Malaysia to provide emergency assistance during major floods.
Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad told StarMetro that each team of 15 personnel would be deployed only for flood emergencies during the northeast monsoon season.
“We are expected to experience five to six series of torrential rains during this monsoon season.
“We worry these would come with strong winds.
“If there is massive flooding within a district or state, these teams will be deployed to assist.
“Teams from neighbouring states will also be deployed if more manpower is needed,” he said, adding that such efforts would reduce the response time by about one hour.
Nor Hisham said the rapid deployment teams would be stationed at fire stations in Putrajaya, Perak (Ipoh), Johor (Ayer Hitam), Kedah and Penang.
Nor Hisham says the Fire and Rescue Department is prepared to face emergencies during the monsoon season.
“They will be placed on standby for at least three days during rains are predicted to be heavier.
“On top of that, we have 450 boat crew members who have the necessary water logistics and equipment to tackle floods,” he added.
Nor Hisham also said department was preparing to implement a leave freeze for firefighters during this period.
“If there are flooding incidents at one area that exceeds what one team from a local station can handle, then the entire district’s firefighters will have their leave frozen (so they can assist with rescue efforts).
“If this happens in a few districts, we will implement a leave freeze for the entire state.”
He added that the department would also temporarily implement a 24-hour shift (from the current 12-hour shift) for its personnel so that there would be enough manpower to tackle other emergencies.
Nor Hisham was speaking on the sidelines of Steel Recon Industries’ (SRI) 50th anniversary gala dinner after receiving RM50,000 for the department’s welfare association from the firefighting equipment manufacturer.
