MELAKA: The Melaka Civil Defence Force (APM) is ready to mobilise its Support Disaster Response Team (Paras) to provide assistance to neighbouring states affected by floods.
Its director Lieutenant Colonel (PA) Kamarulsyah Muslim, said that thus far, a team of 12 members and one officer had been mobilised to Johor to help flood victims in Kota Tinggi.
"We are also sending logistics assets such as lorries, four-wheel drive vehicles and boats for rescue operations and evacuating flood victims in the area," he said when met by reporters at the Kompleks Kementerian Dalam Negeri, in Ayer Keroh, today.
Kamarulsyah said that there are three Paras teams in the state, which are ready to be mobilised across the states and districts whenever needed, either in rotation or simultaneously, as needed.
He added that the state APM recorded a total of 11,990 disaster and emergency reports received through the state operations control centres (PKON), throughout last year.
Of the total, the highest report involved 6,963 cases of catching snakes, while the second highest report involved 1,670 cases related to destroying wasp and bee nests.
"APM has trained members to handle such cases, in addition to serving and being involved with rescue teams for flood victims, accident cases and anything related to 999 emergency calls," he said.
In the meantime, he said that the state APM is targeting a total of 440 members of the public in Melaka, to join the agency as volunteer members this year.
"Last year we managed to recruit 786 members of the public and exceeded the initial target of 400 volunteers," he said, adding that there are 400 volunteers who are active and undergoing training, and have duty schedules in three district offices and two APM units, in Selandar and Masjid Tanah. — Bernama
