FROM working at factories and driving lorries to being at the frontlines of emergency response, auxiliary and volunteer firefighters in Johor regularly demonstrate their dedication to helping others.
Mohd Izwan Samsudin, 37, worked as a quality control staff at a factory in Pekan Nanas, Pontian, before realising his dream of becoming a fireman.
“I was inspired by my late father, who was a fireman.
“In 2014, when there was an intake for auxiliary firefighters, I jumped at the opportunity to sign up,” he said during Johor Fire and Rescue Department’s monthly assembly and promotion ceremony in Johor Baru.
Mohd Izwan said his promotion to Senior Auxiliary Fire Officer II made him feel appreciated after 11 years of service.
The father of three, who serves at Pontian fire station, said his most unforgettable memory was responding to a road accident involving a married couple.
“It happened during the fasting month a few years ago.
“It was harrowing and the husband died in my arms.”
Another auxiliary firefighter, Muhd Nor Sulaiman, 38, said, “I used to work as a factory worker, then a lorry driver before becoming an auxiliary fireman with Ayer Hitam fire station.
“I enjoy working as an auxiliary firefighter because we get to help a lot of people. Not everyone has the privilege to do that,” said the father of four.
Muhd Nor added that he was initially interested in joining the army, but his parents insisted he become a firefighter since the station was closer to their home.
The promotion to Senior Auxiliary Fire Officer II meant a great deal to him and his family, Muhd Nor said, as it came with a salary increase.
At the same event, three volunteer firefighters from Kahang, Kluang, received certificates of appreciation for their flood assistance efforts in Thailand.
Kahang Volunteer Firemen’s Association chairman Lee King Hooi said they found out about a mission to Hatyai last November through a nationwide WhatsApp group that links volunteer firefighters.
“When we arrived at the location, we were told that the roads had been cut off – seven routes into Hatyai were completely inaccessible.
“On the first day, we waited at the border.
“By the second day, we managed to get help from a transport company manager, who provided a large trailer to carry our members along with boat equipment into Hatyai for us to continue our mission,” said Lee, a 65-year-old businessman.
He said the group stayed in Hatyai for almost a week and successfully evacuated more than 3,000 people, including non-Malaysians, from the affected areas.
“We also experienced dangerous events during the mission, including when our boat overturned. Luckily, we had safety harnesses on.”
Lee said this was their first overseas mission, and it left a deep impression on them.
The volunteer team has been actively supporting the Fire and Rescue Department since 1994, he added.
