Bomba focussing on 4,619 flood-prone areas ahead of northeast monsoon

KANGAR: The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department has identified 4619 flood-prone areas nationwide ahead of its preparations for the northeast monsoon season.

Its director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said that the department is readying all 24,263 personnel, including 13,646 full-time officers, 2,196 auxiliary firefighters and 8,421 volunteer firefighters.

“To ensure assets and equipment are in optimum condition, the department is conducting logistic checks and testing throughout the country.

“Rapid Emergency Deployed (RED) Teams are also prepared to be mobilised as strike teams to boost the efficiency of (operations) in affected areas,” he told reporters after opening the department’s 2024 Integrity Day here on Monday (Nov 4), adding that 22 RED Teams can be mobilised within an hour of receiving orders.

In addition, he said that the department has activated Regional Forward Bases (RFB) to organise machinery and rescue equipment and posted personnel in the main zones of Penang, Terengganu and Johor.

“Internal and inter-agency training under the Disaster Management Exercise (DMEX) have also been conducted to shore up personnel skills and coordination with partner agencies in facing any possibility during floods,” Nor Hisham said.

He also shared that the department recorded 273 misconduct complaints from 2019 to October 2024, including scandals or sexual harassment, power abuse, corruption and embezzlement.

“In the same period, disciplinary action was taken against 74 personnel for offences such as drug abuse, absenteeism, involvement in gangsterism, corruption and sexual crimes.

“The department will not compromise with disciplinary misconduct and stern action will be taken against personnel involved in such acts,” he said.

He added that the department has conducted several proactive initiatives and controls to strengthen integrity in the department, including setting up the Anti Bribery Management System four years ago and appointing 79 Integrity Marshals at the state level to monitor and assist the Integrity Department. – Bernama