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BATU PAHAT: The Fire and Rescue Department is ready to deploy around 600 student auxiliary fire officers to help its 24,000 officers and personnel with operations during the ongoing North-East Monsoon.
Its deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said these auxiliary firefighters were from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (Usim) and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).
He added that they would be assigned to rescue operations based on the location of fire stations near their residences.
"However, these auxiliaries must register at their local fire station first to enable them to join firefighters on duty.
"We encourage their participation as it not only allows them to apply their knowledge but also increases the number of personnel on duty,” he told reporters after the commissioning ceremony of 46 auxiliary officers at the UTHM Sultan Ibrahim Hall here on Monday (Nov 13).
In the meantime, Nor Hisham said the department's personnel on duty during the monsoon season comprised 14,500 permanent officers and personnel, 2,000 auxiliary firefighters and nearly 8,000 volunteer firefighters, with 1,150 assets on standby.
He added that the department was targeting six universities to offer the Undergraduate Fire Corps programme by 2025 in a bid to increase the number of auxiliary officers in the future.
"UTHM has produced the highest number of auxiliaries and as of today, 268 have been commissioned, while the rest are from Usim and UiTM.
"In addition to the opportunity to serve at nearby fire stations, these officers also have the chance to work in private premises through the Fire Safety Manager Programme, where 8,000 premises are registered with the department,” he said. – Bernama
