JBPM Records Over 32,000 Special Rescue Operations As Of July 2025

By Amanina Mohamad Yusof

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) is anticipating a sharp rise in special rescue operations this year, involving not only animals and poisonous insects but also unusual and sometimes emotional requests from the public.

Its director-general, Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad, said that as of last month, JBPM had already responded to more than 32,000 special rescue cases for 2025, compared to 23,999 cases recorded throughout the whole of last year.

“Among the cases we handle are catching snakes, lizards, bees, and wasps, as well as rescuing cats stuck on roofs or trees. We also receive non-life-threatening calls such as retrieving keys that have fallen into drains, or even helping when a neighbour’s chicken refuses to come out from under a car,” he told Bernama.

He explained that while some cases may appear trivial or even amusing, JBPM always assesses them from the standpoint of safety and the caller’s ability to resolve the situation on their own.

“For example, we once received a call from someone on the Penang Bridge claiming they couldn’t get out because they were ‘trapped’ in their car. When our team arrived, we discovered that only the left door was closed to the barrier, while the right door could be opened as usual. In their panic, they couldn’t think logically,” he said.

He also shared other unusual cases, such as emergency calls triggered by green flies mistaken for wasps, or drones stuck in trees but reported as if a person were trapped.

“We have also received calls to catch catfish that escaped into drains, or to deal with fireflies entering a two-storey house after a tree branch broke through a window.

“Many people today no longer keep tools like saws, machetes, or ladders at home. So when situations occur, such as a tree branch falling into a room, allowing a firefly to enter, they turn to us because they believe the fire department can solve the problem,” he said.

Nor Hisham explained that while some situations may appear minor, the department will still conduct an initial assessment.

“If the location is within a reasonable distance, about 10 minutes from the nearest station, JBPM will respond. However, if it is too far and not critical, the department will guide how the situation can be resolved independently.

“Our approach has two aspects. First, we assess whether it is worth deploying personnel. Second, we acknowledge that the public trusts the fire department’s ability to help resolve their problems. This trust is something we must respect,” he said.

Nor Hisham added that there may also be a need to further educate the public on the proper use of emergency services, particularly in cases involving wild animals or insects that do not pose an immediate threat.

“In the past, if people saw a snake, they would chase it away. Now, even seeing a snake from afar can cause panic. Times have changed. Perhaps we need to create a module or early education programme about animals and basic safety at home,” he said.

-- BERNAMA