Prepare for emergencies in caves, Fire Dept told
IPOH: With caves being one of Perak’s popular tourist destinations, the Fire and Rescue Department personnel are required to hone their training skills.
Department director- general Mohammad Hamdan Wahid said despite it having a specific rescue team for locating people lost and stranded in caves, it was important to ensure that the exercises were conducted from time to time.
He said caves in Perak were usually packed with tourists and that the teams must always be prepared to handle any emergencies.
“I have been speaking to our chiefs, especially after the Thai boys and their football coach were trapped in the flooded cave in Thailand.
“We must always be prepared for any eventuality and carry out frequent exercises and training,” he told reporters during his official visit to the department’s state head- quarters in Bandar Meru Raya yesterday.
He was commenting on the case of 12 boys and their football coach trapped in the flooded Tham Luang cave in northern Thailand.
The cave complex is one of the country’s longest and toughest to navigate, with its snaking chambers and narrow passageways. Rescue operation is still ongoing. Asked if the Thai authorities had sought assistance from the department for the rescue mission, Mohammad Hamdan said no so far.
“I believe they have the expertise required and have been receiving aid from other international bodies.
“Besides, we are not familiar with the character and topography of the cave, and it can be challenging for us to be involved directly,” he said.
On another issue, Mohammad Hamdan said the department has about 1,000 vacancies to fill nationwide.
“Recruits undergoing training at the three centres nationwide will be able to fill some of the places later,” Mohammad Hamdan said.
He added that the response to join the department has always been encouraging as many are intrigued by the challenging work.