KTMB Emergency Training To Focus On Access, Response And Information Dissemination

KUALA KRAI, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- Access to the area, the response time of the rescue team, and the dissemination of information are among the aspects that will be evaluated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) through emergency training on the EX-Kemubu route.

KTMB Occupational Safety, Health and Environment general manager Khairul Naim Johdi said the assessment is important considering the area's location far from the main road, which can pose a challenge for rescue teams to gain immediate access.

"The main challenge in rural areas is access, which may take time. That's why this training is important to see how quickly the rescue agencies can respond after receiving information from KTMB," he said at the EX-Kemubu Emergency Response Training Programme here today.

He said the effectiveness of the training will be evaluated through a 'post-mortem' process, taking into account feedback from the involved agencies, including response delays, actions of the first responders, access entry and information dissemination.

According to him, EX-Kemubu was chosen as the training location because it has risky area features, including routes near rivers, in addition to its remote location.

Khairul Naim said the training involved approximately 350 participants from 11 agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, the Ministry of Health, the Malaysian Civil Defense Force and the Department of Social Welfare.

He said that large-scale emergency drills are conducted annually in rotation according to the four KTMB operational regions, in addition to the small-scale exercises held throughout the year to enhance personnel proficiency.

"In rural areas, access is usually a bit of a problem. That aspect needs to be improved, along with internal coordination and notification so that information can be conveyed earlier," he said.

He said that emergency preparedness also includes training, the preparation of procedures, and ensuring that KTMB staff are skilled in carrying out actions, including passenger evacuation.

"In case of an emergency, the first thing to do is to contact the 'operation controller' as the KTMB control centre. The information will then be relayed to the relevant agencies for immediate action," he said.

He added that training is to ensure that if a real incident occurs on the Dabong and Kemubu route, all parties understand their respective roles and can act in an organised manner to protect the safety of passengers and staff.

-- BERNAMA