Civil Defence Force targets 10 minutes response time in preparation to face floods

KUCHING: The Civil Defence Force (APM) has set up flood response teams in preparation for the eventuality of floods during the current monsoon season.

Kuching APM disaster operations officer Lt (PA) Mahathir Mohd Isa said 50 to 60 personnel were ready every day to respond promptly to any situation.

"Our assets include nine vehicles and nine boats with supporting equipment. We aim to respond within 10 minutes of receiving an emergency call.

"The deployment of response teams will be synchronised with other agencies to be more efficient," he said at the Kuching APM office here on Friday (Jan 14).

Lt Mahathir said APM had also distributed tents to temporary evacuation centres as part of its preparations.

"We are doing this ahead of time so that everything will be ready once the centres need to be opened.

"So far we have distributed over 700 tents to 27 centres," he said, adding that Kuching district had a total of 82 gazetted evacuation centres.

Kuching district civil defence officer Kapt (PA) Madihi Habib said the agency was currently monitoring flood-prone areas in the district.

He advised the public to be alert and ready to evacuate when necessary.

"We hope everyone will cooperate with instructions to evacuate for their own safety," he said.

Kapt Madihi also said Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) would continue to be observed at temporary evacuation centres to curb infections.

"Flood victims who show symptoms will be isolated at the evacuation centres and referred to Health Ministry personnel for further action," he said.