Forward bases set up for flood rescue operations

Norazam (second from right) briefing Fire and Rescue Department personnel at the forward base in Persiaran Budiman, Shah Alam. — KK SHAM/The Star

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department has stationed a special team with all the necessary equipment for quick flood rescue operations in Section 33, Shah Alam.

Department director Datuk Norazam Khamis said the red-tented operations centre along Persiaran Budiman, close to flood-prone areas, would act as their forward base.

“The eight to 11 men stationed in Persiaran Budiman are experienced in flood rescue.

“The setting up of a forward base manned by a team working on rotation in flood-prone locations is aimed at reassuring the people who live and conduct business in the areas,” he said.

The forward base is equipped with boats, life jackets, four-wheel drive vehicles and other items.

Norazam said the forward base team would conduct circuit patrols in the area during inclement weather.

“If the situation becomes more challenging, we will have backup from the Section 15, Shah Alam Fire and Rescue Department and also from other agencies to go into the flood areas,” he said.

Norazam said the team would patrol six locations – Sri Muda Sluice Gate, Jalan Waja 25/13, Jalan Mahir 25/44, Jalan Harapan 25/90, Jalan Teguh 25/25 and Jalan Makmur 25/64.

“If there is a need to relocate people, there are eight temporary relief centres available, namely SK Sri Muda 1, SK Sri Muda 2, SMK Taman Sri Muda, Centre for Instructor and Advanced Skill Training (CIAST) in Section 19, Dewan MBSA Vanilla, SJK (C) Khe Beng, SJK (T) Ladang Emerald and Dewan Kemuning Utama.”

He said the department had also set up two other forward bases in Hulu Langat – Batu 14 and Sungai Lui – to mobilise rescue operations in the event of a disaster.

“In total, we have three forward bases in Selangor, located in critical flood-prone areas,” he added.

Norazam highlighted that the department was working with Shah Alam City Council’s Swift Action Task Force (Pantas) to monitor the areas along rivers and even making rounds in low-lying neighbourhoods.

Pantas is the team that handles emergencies and disasters at the local council level.

Parts of Selangor, especially Taman Sri Muda in Shah Alam, were badly affected by floods in December last year.