From accidents to disasters, volunteer firefighters in Malaysia brave dangers to save lives

The volunteer teams need to undergo periodic training at the Fire and Rescue Department. Within Selangor for example , 8 hours of education a month is compulsory.  

“The team is going to be exposed to basic fireplace extinguishing, rescue techniques, inspection procedures regarding fire hydrants as well as other skills as scheduled, ” Selangor Fire and Rescue Department’s assistant director Senior Fire Superintendent one Hafisham Md Noor explained to CNA.  

Personal protecting equipment such as fire-retardant coveralls, gloves, head gear and boots is going to be supplied, along with tubes and their fitting equipment, vehicles and water tenders, he said.  

The majority of fire and rescue volunteer groups also source funding from various contributor to purchase more machines.  

Some volunteer teams, for example those based in the particular northern peninsula, are usually sponsored by nearby manufacturers and can thus afford expensive sky-lift fire engines, Mr Lim added.  

Given their particular efficiency in providing places far from government-run fire stations, the Fire and Recovery Department is intending to increase the number of these types of teams to five hundred by 2030.  

For some the public, participating in these offer associations serve as a type of community building plus engagement, which allows them to contribute to the society.