Melaka Fire Department Steps Up Readiness For Northeast Monsoon

MELAKA, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- A total of 474 officers and personnel from 11 fire and rescue stations across Melaka have been placed on standby as the state Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) steps up preparations for the northeast monsoon season.

Its director Mohd Zaidi Ma’at said the department’s preparedness measures also covered the risks posed by hot and dry weather associated with the El Nino phenomenon, including the possibility of forest, bush and wild grass fires.

“Our operational strength is also supported by 139 personnel from six volunteer fire brigades, along with various land-based assets and 27 boats to facilitate rescue operations in the event of flooding.

“Personnel will be stationed in flood-prone areas to step up monitoring during heavy rainfall, including locations at risk of water surges in Asahan, Jasin,” he told Bernama after attending the department's monthly assembly in Bukit Katil today.

Mohd Zaidi said 102 locations across Melaka had been identified as flood-prone areas, comprising 52 in Melaka Tengah, 26 in Jasin and 24 in Alor Gajah.

The department has also set up three disaster operations logistics centres at the Alor Gajah, Ayer Keroh and Jasin Bestari fire stations to facilitate aid distribution according to the needs of each district.

Mohd Zaidi said a Monsoon Season Rapid Response Centre had also been established at the Ayer Keroh fire station to coordinate the deployment of assistance teams to other states requiring support.

“Preparations for the northeast monsoon season also include allowing only 20 per cent of our personnel to take leave, while the remaining 80 per cent must remain on standby.

“Working shifts may also be extended from 12 to 24 hours depending on the situation,” he said.

He added that regular training and equipment inspections, including tests on boats, boat engines and chainsaws, were being conducted to ensure all assets remained in good working condition and ready for use when needed.

Meanwhile, Mohd Zaidi said the department was promoting public participation in monitoring fire hydrants and reporting any damage or misuse through the Teman Pili Bomba scheme.

He said 271 individuals had joined the scheme so far this year, adding that Melaka had about 18,000 fire hydrants, comprising 16,000 public and 2,000 private hydrants.

In another development, Mohd Zaidi said the Melaka JBPM received 4,954 emergency calls between Jan 1 and Oct 27 this year, with rescue and humanitarian operations recording the highest number of cases at 2,693.

He said the remaining calls comprised 2,186 fire-related incidents, 73 special duty cases and two false alarms.

--BERNAMA