With strength and resolve, female firefighters work up a STORM

Free Malaysia Today

5 days ago

Saredah Salleh (left) and Nik Izzahtiey Nik Soh are two of 10 female members of STORM. (Bernama pic)
PUTRAJAYA : Rescue operations in Malaysia have generally been a male-dominated domain. But things are changing, with women having also joined the elite Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (STORM) under the fire and rescue department.
Known for handling high-risk missions, STORM comprises highly skilled firefighters who are on standby to be deployed for large-scale rescue operations. The presence of women has now brought a new dimension, especially during missions that involve other women and children.
Senior fire officer Saredah Salleh, 42, made history by being named the best trainee of her batch last year – outperforming 32 younger male colleagues and two females – proving that neither age nor gender is a barrier to joining one of the department's most elite units.
'STORM is often involved in major operations locally and abroad. I wanted to gain new experiences. The tests during training were extremely tough, including carrying loads of up to 70kg while walking,' she shared.
The mother of two, who has 14 years' experience in firefighting, said STORM's female members do not receive any special treatment, and are required to undergo the same rigorous and demanding fitness tests as their male counterparts.
'All members must pass the individual proficiency test set by the department to determine physical and mental capabilities. All candidates, regardless of gender, are assessed according to the same standards,' she noted.
'Strong spirit of teamwork'
Fully aware of the heavy responsibilities that come with the role, Saredah said she has to maintain peak physical fitness and stamina beyond the requirements of a regular firefighter.
'After work, I go jogging at night to keep my stamina up because we can be deployed to disaster sites at any moment. In STORM, there's no room for complacency,' said Saredah, who was involved in the 2022 Batang Kali landslide rescue operation.
Saredah with her certificate for having being the best trainee out of her batch last year. (Bernama pic)
Meanwhile, fire officer Nik Izzahtiey Nik Soh is one of the youngest women in STORM. But despite only being 24, her involvement in several major operations – including a building collapse in Penang and a landslide in Cameron Highlands – is clear proof that her abilities should not be underestimated.
Izzahtiey, who joined the unit in 2023, said her male counterparts have never belittled the capabilities of female colleagues. Instead, they work together, support one another, and uphold a strong spirit of teamwork.
According to Ismail Abdul Ghani from the fire and rescue department, out of 655 STORM personnel, 10 are women.
'Being selected for STORM is no easy feat. Many apply but not all make the cut. These 10 are the 'heroines' of STORM,' he said.
He noted that the unit not only offers new experiences in firefighting but also opens the door to participating in large-scale operations abroad.
'Joining STORM presents some of the best career opportunities in the department, including international missions,' he said. 'But it does come with intense training and high expectations.'