Setting up of Mocsar team enhances safety of visitors to Mulu — Bomba DG
MIRI: The formation of a Mountain and Cave Search and Rescue (Mocsar) team for the Mulu National Park was an important step in enhancing safety of visitors and trekkers in the park said Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) DirectorGeneral Datuk Seri Mohammad Hamdan Wahid.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of Note of Understanding between State Fire and Rescue Department and Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) on Thursday at a leading hotel here, Hamdan added the team was set up following several incidents of individuals who lost their way or got injured while trekking in the park.
The presentation of accreditation to the Mocsar personnel and closing ceremony of Bomba Multi-Skill Team (MUST) air unit Enhancement Course were also held at the event.
Hamdan added the 11 tour guides had been chosen to become part of Mocsar Bomba Voluntary team and they had received search and rescue training, pre-hospital care and communication skills.
“During critical times like this, a professional team who can quickly handle, within short response time to minimise the suffering of the victims. Several incidents occurred few years back, have inspired us to set up the team, and we are proud that we were able to achieved this,” said Hamdan.
He added that the enhancement course attended by Bomba MUST Air Unit has improved the handling of emergencies in Mulu.
“Through the enhancement course, training in familiarisation and coordination which is crucial to identify logistic and special equipment allows tasks to be done with speed. These are among the initiatives by Bomba to further improve the rescue in Mulu, amidst the area’s challenging terrain,” he added.
Earlier Mulu assemblyman Dato Gerawat Gala who officiated at the function said the services provided by Bomba Air Unit to the rural communities during times of emergency had been vital to the rural communities in Mulu.
“The air unit service had played a crucial role in rescuing people who got lost in the jungle, responding to fire outbreaks, flying essential supplies to longhouses, to delivering Covid19 vaccines and transporting medical personnel to the rural communities,” said Gerawat.
The assemblyman pledged to support activities organised by the department in appreciation of its services.
“Previously, I have contributed RM20,000 to Miri Zone 6 Fire and Rescue Department and another RM13,000 to the Bomba voluntary team in Long Bemang, Bario.
“I have recently received approval of a RM10,000 grant for Kelab Rekreasi Bomba dan Penyelamat Unit Utara Sarawak which I will handover to the Bomba personnel.
“I am also prepared to help Mocsar Mulu team acquire a long boat to carry out their rescue work.
Also present were state Bomba director Datu Khiruddin Drahman@Hussaini, Sarawak Forestry Corporation CEO Zolkipli Mohd Aton and Mulu sub-district administrative officer Rabetta Jenggi.