CRSM & Nadma join hands to provide disaster management training for 40 Elite Team members

In cooperation with the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), the Crisis Relief Squad of MCA (CRSM) recently held a 3-day 2-night "CRSM Elite Team Phase 1 Disaster Management Basic Course Training Camp" in Sungai Siput, Perak.

At the same time, the chief trainer of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) under Nadma personally went to the ground with a tailor-made comprehensive primary emergency training course for 40 CRSM members hailing from states across the country.

Representing MCA President Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong at the closing ceremony, the Chief of Staff of the MCA President’s Office Pung Wai Hung said that “under the leadership of the Prime Minister, CRSM upholds the principle of ‘Keluarga Malaysia Teguh Bersama as One Family’ and cooperates with Nadma to assist everyone irrespective of ethnicity.

This is the first training which Nadma has extended to CRSM and we thank Nadma for having recognised and accepted CRSM as a partner for cooperation.”

On this, Community and Social Development Section of Nadma Assistant Head Abdul Aziz said that he would like to thank MCA and CRSM for their willingness to cooperate with Nadma in providing training in disaster management for CRSM team members.

He said that the current approach to disaster management is one where the whole of society develops its strengths and supports each other, because the era of relying solely on the government is over.

“Today, we have to work with all parties, including volunteer organisations, NGOs and political parties because our goals are the same," he added.

CRSM National Secretary Ng Sing Phing then said that the CRSM Elite Team was officially established in July this year.

Ng said that the CRSM Elite Team was set up with the aim of strengthening the team members’ professional and rapid response to sudden disasters, arranging disaster relief operations and supporting on-site disaster relief tasks.

“It is hoped that whenever a disaster occurs, the volunteers can arrive at the scene as soon as possible and support the disaster relief mission on-site," said Ng.

Ng also conveyed CRSM’s gratitude to Nadma for arranging this first ever emergency response training for volunteers through SMART.

The training included lifeboat installation and operation techniques, first aid, adult and child CPR, flood management mechanism, rapid river and water team rescue /rafting and other knowledge.

On this, Ng said that she looks forward to further cooperation and learning exchanges with Nadma and SMART in the future.

The purpose of establishing the Elite Team of CRSM is to have a highly mobile disaster emergency response team, and to provide a series of training for members to be skilled in effective assistance at disaster sites and for disaster victims at the first sign when a disaster strikes.

This is to enable more professional and effective responses to disasters. Under the leadership of the national CRSM National Chief Dato Natalie Lim Chong Ly, there are a total of 132 Elite Team members based in all states throughout the country who are on call any time disaster befalls.

Also present at the closing ceremony was Sdr Loh Sze Wan, Chairman of MCA Sungai Siput Division.

Crisis Relief Squad of MCA