Putting multi-agency coordination to the test
KUCHING: A total of 191 representatives from various government agencies took part in the Disaster Management Exercise ( D’MEX) held at the Kuching Port Authority ( KPA) compound in Pending, here yesterday.
The exercise was aimed at assessing whether every agency was prepared to manage untoward incidents with the focus on interagency coordination.
According to Fire and Rescue Department ( Bomba) state assistant director of operations Tiong Ling Hii, D’MEX is vital in helping all relevant agencies to understand their roles and functions during emergencies.
“What we emphasise here is how every agency coordinates in terms of communication, logistics and functions. Even though some incidents do not reach the crisis level, they may involve sensitive elements that will lead to a need for crisis management.
“So we need to have more of this kind of exercise to beef up our crisis management skills,” he told a press conference following the two-hour exercise at KPA.
Tiong said Bomba acted as the coordinator in D’MEX, while the participating agencies were the Royal Malaysia Police, Ministry of Health, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency ( MMEA), Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM) and the Marine Department.
“We do D’MEX annually. Before this, we did it in Sibu and Bintulu, and had (conducted) one at KPA four years ago, meaning we have (now) done it twice at KPA.”
He stressed that the exercise played a role to test the capability of every agency involved during incidents such as factory or warehouse fi res.
He said his department had set up a scenario that was beyond what the agencies usually expected.
“We want to identify our shortcomings and see how we can overcome them. For instance, paramedics can treat victims on the spot rather than rushing the victims to the hospital.
“We want every agency to be clear of their respective functions instead of seeing them squabble over duties on the ground. We need all agencies to coordinate because when it comes to a situation where a victim is wounded, Bomba also needs the hospital to come in or medics from APM,” he added.
Tiong pointed out that putting the chain of command in place is pivotal in any incident or disaster.
Taking fire operations as an example, he said the most senior government officer should take over in the event that he himself was not available.
“If I (were to) collapse, who should take over? The most senior government officer can take over. It doesn’t mean Bomba ( has to). APM, MMEA or KPA can also take over. We need to coordinate,” he quipped.
On whether he was satisfied with the outcome of the exercise, Tiong said they would have a postmortem to pin-point weaknesses for rectification.
He said the agencies would have another exercise to overcome identified weaknesses such as communication breakdown.
“I thank KPA for permitting Bomba and all other agencies involved to conduct this D’MEX, which is not an ad hoc event because we have planned this for months. Without your cooperation, we wouldn’t be able to carry out this exercise in an effective manner,” he added.
What we emphasise here is how every agency coordinates in terms of communication, logistics and functions. Even though some incidents do not reach the crisis level, they may involve sensitive elements that will lead to a need for crisis management. Tiong Ling Hii, Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) state assistant director of operations