Bomba DG: Unified entity to maximise fire, rescue capabilities

KUCHING (Sept 30): The move by Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) to integrate its Multi-Skills Team (MUST) into the Special Tactical Operations and Rescue Team of Malaysia (STORM) is aimed at maximising the capabilities of both units as unified entity.

In stating this, Bomba director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said the integration has resulted in the total number of STORM officers nationwide reaching 1,101.

He said following the commissioning of 21 MUST officers into STORM here yesterday, the total number of STORM officers in Sarawak would eventually be 60.

“While both teams possess distinct areas of expertise, they share the common requirements of exceptional discipline, mental resilience and physical strength, which distinguish them from other firefighting personnel.

“After thoroughly evaluating the capabilities and compositions of both teams, the department has made the strategic decision to merge them into a single unified entity,” he said during a press conference, prior to witnessing the commissioning ceremony of MUST members into STORM, at Bomba Sarawak headquarters here today.

Elaborating on the restructuring, Nor Hisham said the MUST members set to be integrated into STORM would undergo training in urban disaster management, while the STORM officers would receive training in air unit operations.

He added that previously, MUST was operating under the air unit, and STORM under the fire and rescue operations.

“Under this restructuring, STORM officers will be assigned to every fire station nationwide. In the event of an incident requiring their expertise, they will be deployed with a response time of within an hour, within which they would assemble at a designated rendezvous point before being mobilised to the affected location.

“For STORM members already stationed at a fire station, they are to respond immediately, forming an initial team of one or two members. The larger team, including the cross-state units, would be mobilised whenever necessary,” he said.

Nor Hisham cited the 2021 floods hitting Hulu Langat in Selangor as a significant incident where STORM played a pivotal role.

“We mobilised STORM teams from various states, including Negeri Sembilan, Perak and Kuala Lumpur, to support the search and rescue operations in Hulu Langat. Our STORM was also involved in a rescue mission in Turkey under the coordination of Nadma (National Disaster Management Agency),” he said.

Also present was Bomba Sarawak director Tiong Ling Hii.