June 23, 2015
By Olivia Miwil
Pictures by Edmund Samunting.
RANAU: Mount Kinabalu will serve as a bastion for mountain search and rescue operatives from across the country.
This is an ambitious plan to produce an elite squad with the ability of trained firemen and agility of guides from villages at the foothills of the mountain.
The Mountain Search and Rescue Team or MOSAR will be based at the district fire and rescue station as well as a Centre of Excellence for the department nationwide.
Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government minister Datuk Rahman Dahlan said this after launching the team here.
"MOSAR exists in the department but this team will include mountain guides. They are known for their abilities at high altitude as they are fit, familiar with the route and able to assess risk," he said.
Rahman also revealed RM150 million has been allocated for the department two acquire helicopters to be placed in Sabah and Sarawak because of its difficult terrain and islands.
In the ceremony here the first batch of 20 mountain guides were recruited as auxiliary firefighters. At least 80 more will be recruited in the near future.
"Besides responding to emergencies, there will be at least 14 of them to be stationed along the summit trail up the mountain. I believe the presence of mountain guides' will help boost the confidence of climbers."
The first batch auxiliary firefighters will learn safety aspect and fire operations, expose to rescue technique such as rope rescue, high angle rescue technique, communication with helicopters, disasters management as well as first aid.
Mountain guide Mohammad Abdul Razak Salleh, 32, from Tambunan said he was glad to be recruited as he could learn additional skills.
Besides Mount Kinabalu, Razak also guides tourists to trek at Trus Madi and Crocker Ranges in the state.
"I only refer to Youtube to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation and rely on logical thinking for other surviving and rescuing skills."
Moidin Sompot, 57, from Bundu Tuhan described the recruitment as auxiliary firefighter will better equipped him to handle emergencies.
The mountain guide of 33-year-experience was among those stranded during the earthquake measuring 5.9 on Richter scale on June 5.
"I personally witnessed one of my clients crushed by falling boulders at that time, I wish I could do better in rescuing people in future.
"As for now, I am also thankful to have source of incomes as the mountain has been closed for months."
The ministry had also presented RM32,000 to Mountain Guides Association and Ranau Taxi and Car Rental Association, and appreciation letters to Fire and Rescue personnel.
By Olivia Miwil
Pictures by Edmund Samunting.
RANAU: Mount Kinabalu will serve as a bastion for mountain search and rescue operatives from across the country.
This is an ambitious plan to produce an elite squad with the ability of trained firemen and agility of guides from villages at the foothills of the mountain.
The Mountain Search and Rescue Team or MOSAR will be based at the district fire and rescue station as well as a Centre of Excellence for the department nationwide.
Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government minister Datuk Rahman Dahlan said this after launching the team here.
"MOSAR exists in the department but this team will include mountain guides. They are known for their abilities at high altitude as they are fit, familiar with the route and able to assess risk," he said.
Rahman also revealed RM150 million has been allocated for the department two acquire helicopters to be placed in Sabah and Sarawak because of its difficult terrain and islands.
In the ceremony here the first batch of 20 mountain guides were recruited as auxiliary firefighters. At least 80 more will be recruited in the near future.
"Besides responding to emergencies, there will be at least 14 of them to be stationed along the summit trail up the mountain. I believe the presence of mountain guides' will help boost the confidence of climbers."
The first batch auxiliary firefighters will learn safety aspect and fire operations, expose to rescue technique such as rope rescue, high angle rescue technique, communication with helicopters, disasters management as well as first aid.
Mountain guide Mohammad Abdul Razak Salleh, 32, from Tambunan said he was glad to be recruited as he could learn additional skills.
Besides Mount Kinabalu, Razak also guides tourists to trek at Trus Madi and Crocker Ranges in the state.
"I only refer to Youtube to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation and rely on logical thinking for other surviving and rescuing skills."
Moidin Sompot, 57, from Bundu Tuhan described the recruitment as auxiliary firefighter will better equipped him to handle emergencies.
The mountain guide of 33-year-experience was among those stranded during the earthquake measuring 5.9 on Richter scale on June 5.
"I personally witnessed one of my clients crushed by falling boulders at that time, I wish I could do better in rescuing people in future.
"As for now, I am also thankful to have source of incomes as the mountain has been closed for months."
The ministry had also presented RM32,000 to Mountain Guides Association and Ranau Taxi and Car Rental Association, and appreciation letters to Fire and Rescue personnel.
Comments
Post a Comment