Kelantan fire dept mulls 48-hour shifts for major flood operations

KOTA BARU: The Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department is considering extending the duty shifts of its personnel to up to 48 hours in the event of major flooding during the 2026/2027 Northeast Monsoon (MTL), to strengthen its rescue operation capabilities.

Its director, Farhan Sufyan Borhan, said the measure could involve adjustments to the current shift system, from 12-hour rotations to 24- or 48-hour shifts, depending on operational requirements and the situation on the ground during a disaster.

He said personnel currently work in three teams on a 12-hour shift system to ensure fire station operations continue around the clock.

"To increase the number of personnel available during major floods, we will manage leave and switch from 12-hour to 24-hour shifts, thereby increasing the number of personnel on duty," he told Bernama recently.

He said a freeze on leave could also be imposed, depending on the severity of the disaster, to ensure sufficient manpower, particularly when rescue operations require the deployment of more personnel.

However, the availability of assets, including boats, trucks and four-wheel-drive vehicles, was equally important to operational effectiveness, as increasing manpower alone would not be sufficient without the necessary equipment, he said.

In a related development, Kelantan fire department has identified vulnerable groups, including the elderly, persons with disabilities (PwDs) and bedridden patients living in flood-prone areas, to facilitate evacuation efforts in the event of flooding.

Farhan said the exercise was carried out in coordination with the State Disaster Management Committee, involving the Welfare Department and the Health Department.

He added that information on residents requiring special assistance during evacuation, including the number of elderly people and persons with disabilities in high-risk areas, had been compiled to support operational planning.

"We have identified the number of PwDs and elderly people in these areas who require attention, and the matter has been coordinated at the State Disaster Management Committee level," he said.

He said the actual evacuation process would depend on prevailing conditions when a disaster occurred, particularly during its initial stages, which were usually challenging for rescue agencies.

He added that training and inter-agency cooperation were also crucial to ensuring the safe and orderly evacuation of vulnerable groups.

On Sunday, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) issued a caution-level warning for continuous rain in several areas in Kelantan, Pahang and Sabah, as well as throughout Terengganu, effective until today.

MetMalaysia said the affected areas in Kelantan included Tanah Merah, Pasir Mas, Tumpat, Kota Baru, Machang, Bachok, Pasir Puteh, Kuala Krai and Jeli.

Following the warning, the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre under the Department of Irrigation and Drainage indicated that nine districts in Kelantan could potentially experience flooding during the same period.