KUCHING: The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department is ready to enhance its personnel and equipment capabilities to face any eventualities following the proposed construction of a nuclear power plant in the country, says its director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad.
He said the fire department has already been on standby in terms of basic training in radioactive exposure through the establishment of 17 Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Response Teams involving a total of 429 personnel nationwide.
“The technology for building nuclear plants and its fire prevention systems is now mature and subject to international standards and existing best practices.
“What is important is that the industry must provide monitoring equipment such as dosimeters and detection devices to the fire station in the vicinity of the plant,” he said after launching the 2024 Fire Service Medal Awards ceremony here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Nor Hisham said the reactor’s level of internal safety would depend on the site plan and final design of the plant, adding that the department would work with relevant agencies to compile a comprehensive contingency plan.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the government was exploring the possibility of implementing nuclear power projects in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah due to the high demand for stable energy supply in both regions.
Fadillah said proximity to water sources is among the key considerations in the ongoing feasibility study for the nuclear plant’s cooling system.
