PUTRAJAYA: More than 100 officers from the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) have undergone special training and courses to strengthen the department’s preparedness in handling electric vehicle (EV) fire incidents nationwide.
JBPM director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad said the trained officers will serve as master trainers, to be deployed to each state to teach effective methods for managing EV fires to other personnel.
He said JBPM has also issued guidelines on proper and effective methods for extinguishing EV fires, including incidents occurring at charging stations or in open areas.
"For this (EV fire) operation, we have trained over 100 officers who are regarded as master trainers. When they go to the fire stations, they will train our officers at the state and station levels,” he told reporters after the official working visit of Melaka Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dr Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam to the JBPM headquarters here Tuesday (Oct 7).
Nor Hisham said all fire stations have also been equipped with specialised tools such as fire blankets, some of which were contributed by private companies and EV manufacturers.
He said JBPM is also drafting guidelines for the safe disposal and replacement of EV batteries.
"JBPM, together with international partners, is working to develop standard guidelines to address issues related to battery replacement,” he said.
Earlier, Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said JBPM recorded 27 fires involving EVs and hybrid vehicles from 2023 until last July, averaging 10 cases annually nationwide.
Aiman Athirah said that although the use of EVs can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and is more environmentally friendly, such vehicles remain at high risk of catching fire.
Nor Hisham also said Mohd Ali had called on JBPM to establish strategic cooperation with Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, particularly in research related to battery technology and other areas.
"(In addition) Mohd Ali made a special request for JBPM to conduct fire safety education programmes for tahfiz schools in Melaka,” he said. - Bernama
