BUKIT MERTAJAM: Firefighters from the northern zone are prepared to be sent to East Coast states if the flood situation there worsens.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department director Saadon Moktar said as the state served as the management centre for the "Regional Forward Base", firefighters from Penang and other northern states were prepared to be called up to offer assistance at any time.
He said every state in the northern region, particularly Kedah, Penang and Perak, would most likely send 30 firefighters each to help out in states affected by the floods.
"We, in Penang, and firefighters from the northern region, are ever ready if the operations centre from Putrajaya calls for back up.
"For now, the situation in the northern states is good. We have sufficient manpower and logistics," he said after a manpower, logistics and Regional Forward Base management briefing session at the Bandar Perda Fire and Rescue station, here, today.
Penang was chosen as the Regional Forward Base last October to gather manpower and logistics strength from the northern zone to be mobilised to locations affected by floods to ensure efficiency and that assistance can reach the flood victims faster.
It is learnt that Penang has a manpower of 653 personnel from 20 Fire and Rescue stations as well as logistics such as 31 aluminium boats, 12 lorries, 29 four-wheel drives, 631 floats, including life jackets and 30 scuba sets.
Meanwhile, Saadon said they have identified 36 locations prone to flooding in all five districts in the state, including two or three slopes, where landslides may occur.
"We are monitoring the hotspots, including through air surveillance.
"Also, we are monitoring temporary flood relief centres to enable necessary arrangements to be made in the event of floods," he added.
