200-strong CERT Batu Danau ready for monsoon season
LIMBANG: More than 200 villagers from 22 villages in Batu Danau here are now ready to face emergencies and the coming monsoon season, having signed up for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) last weekend.
The participants, from the Medamit region, took part in a three- day CERT programme held here recently as part of preparations to face the oncoming rainy season which is expected to start in November.
The programme, organised by the Chief Minister’s Department, is aimed at raising community emergency response capabilities for those living far from the reach of formal response bodies such as the Fire and Rescue Department ( Bomba) and Civil Defence Force (APM).
According to Mohd Firdaus Abdullah, who is deputy director of the State Enforcement and Security Unit of the Chief Minister’s Department, CERT empowers the local community to be prepared to face emergencies while promoting the spirit of volunteerism.
“Skills gain by CERT members is counted on to help themselves, family and neighbours in times of emergency,” he said, adding each member of the community will play an active role in an emergency to minimise sufferings, losses and damage.
CERT Batu Danau is the 31st unit formed in Sarawak since the programme started in 2010.
Petronas, the programme organiser, contributed fire extinguishers, safety jackets and other equipment to the 20 villages in the Batu Danau constituency.
Batu Danau assemblyman Paulus Palu Gumbang officiated at the CERT Batu Danau training programme in a ceremony attended by Limbang MP Hasbi Habibolah, Limbang Resident Datu Maria Hasman, Petronas Sarawak regional manager representative Ekni Raduan, and Limbang District Officer Jamalie Busri.