MELAKA, A total of 440 Melaka Civil Defence Volunteer (ASPA) members have undergone a series of training sessions to improve their readiness during the Northeast Monsoon season.
State Civil Defence Force (APM) director Lt Col (PA) Kamarulsyah Muslim said the training sessions, which began last October and were held every weekend, covered flood and landslide simulation exercises, rescue techniques, and methods for operating boats.
“The training sessions were held to ensure that each ASPA member has at least a basic understanding of rescue skills in order to help the rescue operations in the event of floods during the northeast monsoon season.
“As of today, the Melaka APM has 531 members and permanent officers who will be mobilised to assist in the flood operations in the state,” he told a press conference about the Melaka APM’s preparations to face the northeast monsoon here today.
Kamarulsyah said in terms of assets, the Melaka APM now has four four-wheel drive vehicles, four lorries, 30 boats and nine ambulances which would be deployed to aid flood operations.
Meanwhile, he said the State Drainage and Irrigation Department had identified about 124 flood hotspots statewide.
“Of the total, 59 locations are in Melaka Tengah, Alor Gajah (23 locations) and Jasin (42 locations),” he said.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency