Prank calls still a hindrance for Fire and Rescue Dept's operations, says Melaka state director
State director Mohd Zaidi Maat emphasised that every call must be treated as genuine until verified.
"Although such prank calls have reduced drastically, we still have to check each one seriously, because lives and property may be at risk," he said after officiating the Fire and Rescue Cadet Corps marching competition at the Ayer Keroh Fire and Rescue station on Thursday (Aug 7).
Mohd Zaidi noted that prank and nuisance calls have significantly declined since the implementation of MERS 999, the national emergency response system operated by Telekom Malaysia, which screens every call before dispatching emergency teams.
"It's not like before. Previously, we received calls from heartbroken or lonely individuals but now, it's mostly people playing pranks without understanding the consequences," he said.
While experienced responders can often sense when a call might be false, he stressed that each incident still affects manpower and operations.
Separately, Mohd Zaidi highlighted the growth of the Fire and Rescue Cadet Corps across the state, with more than 600 students currently participating under the supervision of 11 fire stations statewide.
The programme equips students with hands-on experience in firefighting, rescue techniques, teamwork, and leadership.
"These cadets are learning discipline and public responsibility. We're planning to expand the programme to more schools across the state," he said.
He added that the cadet corps serves as a training ground for future firefighters and helps build greater fire safety awareness among youth.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Three women injured after part of Kota Baru jetty collapses
KOTA BARU: Three women were injured after a section of a jetty at Sultan's Pier in Kota Baru collapsed on Saturday afternoon. According to a Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department spokesperson, a distress call was received via the MERS999 system at 4.53pm about the incident. Twelve firemen from the Kota Baru fire station were deployed and arrived at the scene at 5.02pm. "Upon arrival, the operations commander conducted a size-up and confirmed that a section of the jetty had collapsed," the spokesperson said. "The three adult female victims had fallen into the Kelantan river but were rescued. They were then sent to Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital".
The Star
5 days ago
- The Star
Prank calls still a hindrance for Fire and Rescue Dept's operations, says Melaka state director
MELAKA: Prank calls continue to disrupt the Melaka Fire and Rescue Department's operations, with four incidents recorded in 2024 and two more between January and August this year. State director Mohd Zaidi Maat emphasised that every call must be treated as genuine until verified. "Although such prank calls have reduced drastically, we still have to check each one seriously, because lives and property may be at risk," he said after officiating the Fire and Rescue Cadet Corps marching competition at the Ayer Keroh Fire and Rescue station on Thursday (Aug 7). Mohd Zaidi noted that prank and nuisance calls have significantly declined since the implementation of MERS 999, the national emergency response system operated by Telekom Malaysia, which screens every call before dispatching emergency teams. "It's not like before. Previously, we received calls from heartbroken or lonely individuals but now, it's mostly people playing pranks without understanding the consequences," he said. While experienced responders can often sense when a call might be false, he stressed that each incident still affects manpower and operations. Separately, Mohd Zaidi highlighted the growth of the Fire and Rescue Cadet Corps across the state, with more than 600 students currently participating under the supervision of 11 fire stations statewide. The programme equips students with hands-on experience in firefighting, rescue techniques, teamwork, and leadership. "These cadets are learning discipline and public responsibility. We're planning to expand the programme to more schools across the state," he said. He added that the cadet corps serves as a training ground for future firefighters and helps build greater fire safety awareness among youth.
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Borneo Post
MBKS calls for collective effort to tackle manhole hazards
Wee (left) and an MBKS official discover an uncovered manhole in Kuching. – Photo from MBKS KUCHING (Aug 7): The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) is calling for urgent action to address the issue of missing or open manhole covers across the city, which pose serious safety risks to both motorists and pedestrians. In a statement today, Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said several uncovered or unsecured manholes were discovered during recent ground inspections. While MBKS continues to monitor and maintain manholes under its jurisdiction, he noted that some of the affected manholes fall under the responsibility of other utility providers. 'The matter requires urgent collective action to prevent accidents and ensure public safety,' he said. According to Wee, the manholes in question are under the purview of agencies such as Telekom Malaysia, Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sarawak, and the Kuching Water Board. MBKS has officially written to Telekom Malaysia, SEB, and DID Sarawak, urging them to inspect and replace all missing or damaged manhole covers without delay. Emphasising that public safety remains MBKS' top priority, Wee said it is crucial for the issue to be addressed before any untoward incidents occur. 'I trust the relevant agencies will act promptly and responsibly,' he said. He also assured the public that MBKS will continue its routine inspections of public infrastructure. At the same time, he encouraged the public to report any open or damaged manholes via the Talikhidmat platform, the iPeople mobile application, or by contacting MBKS directly. 'Let us work together to ensure Kuching remains a safe and liveable city for everyone,' said Wee. lead manhole MBKS Wee Hong Seng
