THE Fire and Rescue Department needs new and modern firefighting assets to strengthen the agency’s services, director-general Mohammad Hamdan Wahid said.

“We need both new and existing assets to be maintained. Now people are talking about auto systems, robotic firefighting, drone manoeuvring and also connectivity as well as the use of AI (artificial intelligence).

“This is what we will develop and we need help from the government (in terms of allocation) to ensure the level of fire services is in line with our country’s progress,” he said when met by reporters after attending the new year’s mandate ceremony for the Local Government Development Ministry today.

For that, he said the application for allocations to have more assets and asset maintenance would be submitted under the 12th and 13th Malaysia Plans.

Meanwhile, he said the department has 36 dogs in its K9 unit – “living assets” – to ensure it is able to undertake firefighting and rescue operations to the best of its ability.

He also said the dogs would undergo daily training in disaster management based on simulated scenarios.

“They can also detect drowning victims from 0.9m to 1.82m underwater,” Hamdan added.

At the event, Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming presented certificates of appreciation to Fire and Rescue Operations Division director Nor Hisham Mohamad who represented the firefighters and K9 unit involved in the Batang Kali landslide tragedy last month and Selangor deputy director Wan Md Razali Wan Ismail, representing his team.

Nga also presented the Golden Performance medal to the four dogs of the K9 unit, namely Blake, Lady, Grouse and Pop, which were involved in the search and rescue operations.

The landslide at Father’s Organic Farm camping site involved 92 victims, with 31 killed and 61 rescued. – Bernama, January 9, 2023.