BUTTERWORTH, Aug 18 (Bernama) — The Penang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Marine Base in Mak Mandin has been designated as the Water Activities Safety Council (MKAA) Centre of Excellence to strengthen its capacity and role in water rescue operations.
JBPM Deputy Director-General of Operations, Datuk Ahmad Izram Osman, said the upgrade will enable his team to respond more swiftly during emergencies, particularly search and rescue (SAR) operations involving victims who fall from Penang’s two major bridges.
“This means that from now on, all water activities in Penang will be centred at MKAA, its location close to the water area also facilitates the mobilisation of rescue assets.
“With rescue facilities and boats stationed directly at the jetty, our team can respond immediately without the delays of transporting boats from the station to the site, as was previously required,” he told reporters after officiating the MKAA Centre at the Mak Mandin Marine Base today.
He said the centre is currently equipped with one dolphin boat, three aluminium boats, and a 39-member Water Rescue Team (PPDA) drawn from the Butterworth and Bagan Jermal fire and rescue stations.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Izram said that from January 1 to August this year, a total of 196 cases of death due to drowning were recorded nationwide, including seven in Penang — five at beaches and two in irrigation canals.
Of the total cases, 175 involved male victims and 21 female victims, with most aged between 20 and 30 years.
In addition to serving as the main operations hub, he said, the MKAA will also function as a venue for community awareness programmes, an information and reference centre, as well as a training facility.
It will also provide opportunities for strategic collaboration with external agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) interested in supporting water safety initiatives, he added.
— BERNAMA
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