PUTRAJAYA: Rescue operations in Malaysia have traditionally been the domain of men, but now women are joining the elite Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (Storm) under the Fire and Rescue Department.
Known for handling high-risk missions, Storm consists of only highly skilled firefighters who are always on standby for large-scale rescue operations.
The presence of women in this elite unit has introduced a new dimension, especially during missions involving women and child victims.
Senior Fire Officer II Saredah Mohd Salleh, 42, is one such “heroine”. She has made history by being named the best trainee in the Storm Basic Training Course Series 1/2024, proving that neither age nor gender is a barrier to joining one of JBPM’s most elite units.
“My main motivation for joining Storm is that this unit is often involved in major operations both locally and abroad. I want to gain new experiences. The tests during the training course were extremely tough, including carrying loads of up to 70kg while walking,” she said recently.
No special treatment
The mother of two, with 14 years of experience in firefighting, said female members of Storm do not receive any special treatment and are required to undergo the same rigorous fitness tests as their male counterparts.
“All members must pass the Individual Physical Proficiency Test set by the department to determine physical and mental capabilities. All candidates, regardless of gender, are assessed according to the same standards,” she added.
Fully aware of the heavy responsibilities that come with the role, Saredah said she must constantly maintain peak physical fitness and stamina, even beyond the requirements of a regular firefighter.
“Even after work, I still go jogging at night to keep my stamina up because we can be deployed to disaster sites at any moment. In Storm, there’s no room for complacency,” said Saredah, who was involved in the 2022 Batang Kali landslide rescue operation.
Fire Officer Nik Izzahtiey Nik Soh, 24, one of the youngest women in Storm, said her involvement in several major operations, including a building collapse in Penang and a landslide in Cameron Highlands, is clear proof that her abilities should not be underestimated.
Nik Izzahtiey, who joined Storm in 2023, also mentioned that the male members in the unit have never belittled the capabilities of their female colleagues. Instead, they work together, support one another and uphold a strong spirit of teamwork.
“When we’re on duty, we are all members of an elite unit within the Fire and Rescue Department, working as one team,” she added.
Meanwhile, Fire and Rescue Department rescue team management branch head Ismail Abdul Ghani said currently, 10 out of 655 Storm personnel are women, a figure that underscores their ability to match male firefighters in facing the extreme challenges of rescue missions.
“Being selected for Storm is no easy feat. Many apply, but not all make the cut. These 10 women are the ‘heroines’ of Storm… they are special,” he said.
He also encouraged more personnel to consider joining Storm, noting that the unit not only offers new experiences in firefighting but also opens the door to participating in large-scale operations abroad.
“Joining Storm presents some of the best career opportunities in the department, including international missions. But it comes with intense training and high expectations,” he added. – Bernama
