June 20, 2015
By Olivia Miwil
Pictures by Edmund Samunting.
AUXILIARY TEAM: Training will include survival and rescue operations.
RANAU: Mountain guides recruited as auxiliary firefighters will be equipped with additional survival and rescue skills to better prepare for disasters.
Sabah Fire and Rescue department director Nordin Puzi said the mountain guides would be part of the first 30 auxilliary fighters for Mountain Search and Rescue team in Malaysia.
Besides first-aid and forest fire operations, the guides will be trained in mountain search-and-rescue procedures.
“They will be taught safety aspects including high-angle rescue techniques, as well as the use of personal protective equipment and specialised tools for mountain rescue," Nordin said at the first series of the recruitment exercise here on Saturday.
"The guides will also be trained to use rescue equipment placed at locations along the (mountain) trail."
The department has opened 100 auxiliary firefighter positions to be offered to mountain guides.
Nordin stressed only those who were fit, healthy and met the criteria would be recruited, although the department acknowledged the significant role that mountain guides played during the search and rescue operations following earthquake on June 5.
"We hope by including guides in the team, they will become the first responders and feed us with information immediately should emergencies occur.
"They will also get allowances, which can be an extra incomes apart from guiding fee.”
Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government minister Datuk Abdul Rahman is expected to launch the Mountain Search and Rescue team at district fire station here today.
The earthquake measured 5.9 Richter scale had claimed 18 lives, including four mountain guides, after they were hit by falling rocks on Mount Kinabalu.
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