Smart sharpens flood-rescue skills ahead of northeast monsoon [WATCH]

SEPANG: Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart) personnel recently honed their flood-rescue skills in a five-day exercise ahead of the northeast monsoon.

The exercise focused on operational readiness, boat handling and safe evacuations.

The Boat Handling and Water Rescue Training programme ran from Oct 19 to 23 at the Pantai Bagan Lalang General Operations Force post.

Commander Abdul Manaf Che Isa said the exercise involved 136 Smart and National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) personnel, helping them get familiar with the equipment, procedures and conditions.

The exercise followed the launch of the National Preparedness Month on Oct 11, officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

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"We want to ensure everyone is prepared and the assets are ready to be mobilised when floods strike several states in the peninsula, as well as Sabah and Sarawak," Manaf said.

"We are already trained in boat handling, the use of surface rescue equipment and specialised underwater rescue equipment. The aim of this training is to prepare and hone their skills."

He said the team was also trained to handle emergencies during rescue operations, such as technical issues involving boats.

New Straits Times reporters who took part in the exercise on Oct 22 saw participants practising throwing and hauling in throw bags, as well as using rope rescue devices to pull people out of the water to simulate a rescue.

They also rode in the boats as crews manoeuvred through the waves and whirlpools in choppy seas and hazy meteorological conditions.

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The daily schedule included boat and engine maintenance, defensive and aggressive swimming, self-rescue and capsize recovery, tactical navigation and docking, as well as boat pickup, triage and CPR on board.

Each day ended with a full simulation of a northeast monsoon flood operation.

Manaf said the training was held at sea to familiarise crews with currents, waves and calm waters, and was conducted during the day and at night to prepare them for different operational conditions.

Five aluminium boats and surface safety equipment were used.

Satellite phones and Broadband Global Area Network equipment were also brought along for use in areas without communications coverage.

Manaf said underwater rescue training would follow at a suitable location.

On Smart's role in floods, he added that it served as a support force for frontliners.

Nadma has assigned officers to zones.

Before floods arrive, Smart would deploy to key forward operating bases, where fire, civil defence, police and army responders are stationed.

Manaf said Smart was mobilised every year and its rescue operations with other agencies had gone well.

The main constraint was victims who refused to move early despite evacuation warnings.

Once flood warnings are issued, the team approaches every household to advise residents to move to relief centres.

He urged the public to prepare early, including by securing important documents and medicine for those requiring follow-up treatment.