Latest news with #EMERCOM
Barnama
6 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
Fire Dept Keen To Learn From Russia's Use Of AI, Robotics In Firefighting
PUTRAJAYA, June 19 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has expressed interest in deepening its collaboration with Russia's Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM) to explore the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics in emergency response and firefighting operations. Its director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad commended Russia's technological advancements, particularly EMERCOM's innovative use of AI in incident prediction incidents, resource management, and risk analysis. 'We are very keen to learn from Russia's advancements in deploying AI and robotics in fire and rescue work. EMERCOM's use of AI to predict incidents, allocate resources efficiently, and analyse risks is especially relevant and inspiring to us. 'As we move forward with our digital transformation, beginning with our pioneering C4I - Command, Control, Communications,Computers and Intelligence - we are now looking into how we can make the most of smart systems, unmanned aerial vehicle, predictive modelling, and AI-powered surveillance for real-time monitoring in firefighting and disaster risk reduction,' he said. Nor Hisham said this in his welcoming speech during a courtesy call by Russia's EMERCOM Minister Colonel General Alexander Kurenkov at the JBPM headquarters here today. Nor Hisham also highlighted the department's interest in exploring advanced fire safety systems, particularly the potential application of Russian fire safety systems in Malaysia. 'One well-known brand already available is Pyrogen, which offers aerosol-based solutions such as the EXA Aerosol Fire Suppression System and the IPEX Impulse Powder Suppression System. 'We believe there is significant potential to explore in this area, especially when it comes to introducing new technologies and products that could help improve fire suppression systems and safety installations across the country,' he said. Nor Hisham also reflected on the longstanding partnership between JBPM and Russia, which began in 1998 with the establishment of JBPM's Air Division and the acquisition of two Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters.
The Sun
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysia, Russia to sign MoU on disaster management
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Russia are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in disaster management this year. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the MoU will serve as a practical framework for joint training, knowledge exchange and coordinated emergency response. 'As ASEAN Chair this year, Malaysia remains committed to regional leadership in disaster response,' he told a joint press conference with Russian Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM) Minister, Colonel General Alexander Kurenkov, here today. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Central Disaster Management Committee chairman, said Malaysia welcomed Russia's offer of capacity-building programmes for Malaysian officers, including a specialised training course in Vladivostok this September. 'We are exploring broader collaboration, including technology transfer in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) applications for disaster monitoring,' he added. Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia's National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) team was among the first to arrive in Myanmar following the recent earthquake, operating alongside international teams including EMERCOM' RUS-03. Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia and Russia agreed to conduct joint search and rescue (SAR) training between the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) and Russia's RUS-03 team. He also expressed appreciation to Russia for the offer to train Malaysia's SMART team and the invitation to allow senior officers from the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia to participate in a specialised course at a leading university in St. Petersburg. Ahmad Zahid also values the inclusion of EMERCOM's cultural ensemble as part of the visit, describing it as a meaningful gesture that fosters people-to-people ties and strengthens the foundation of the long-standing bilateral relationship between Malaysia and Russia. He said EMERCOM's visit marks an important milestone in enhancing Malaysia and Russia's cooperation in disaster management. He also expressed appreciation for the strong working relationship between Nadma and EMERCOM, particularly through regional initiatives under the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) and the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM). Ahmad Zahid said he is looking forward to attending the upcoming international conference and the disaster management event hosted by Russia in Azerbaijan. Earlier, Ahmad Zahid received a courtesy call from Kurenkov, marking an important milestone in enhancing Malaysia and Russia's cooperation in disaster management. Meanwhile, Kurenkov said that during the meeting, several key areas were discussed, including the professional training and education of firefighters and rescue personnel. 'EMERCOM's academies offer a wide range of programmes for international specialists, not only for firefighters and rescuers but also for medics, dog handlers and UAV operators,' he added. He also emphasised EMERCOM's interest in understanding Malaysia's modern approaches to fire and rescue training, noting the value of exchanging best practices. In addition, he said both sides are committed to improving mutual early-warning capabilities and risk communication related to natural disasters, particularly in the areas of prevention, prediction and risk management using the systems of space monitoring and distant zoning of Earth. 'In Russia, the functions are performed by the National Crisis Management Centre. Generally, our countries have big potential for further cooperation in the sphere of elimination of natural and manmade disaster consequences,' he added.
Barnama
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Malaysia, Russia To Sign MoU On Disaster Management Cooperation This Year
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (right) receives a courtesy call from the Minister of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation, Colonel General Alexander V. Kurenkov at his office, today. --fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED PUTRAJAYA, June 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Russia are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in disaster management this year. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the MoU will serve as a practical framework for joint training, knowledge exchange and coordinated emergency response. "As ASEAN Chair this year, Malaysia remains committed to regional leadership in disaster response," he told a joint press conference with Russian Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM) Minister, Colonel General Alexander Kurenkov, here today. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Central Disaster Management Committee chairman, said Malaysia welcomed Russia's offer of capacity-building programmes for Malaysian officers, including a specialised training course in Vladivostok this September. "We are exploring broader collaboration, including technology transfer in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) applications for disaster monitoring," he added. Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia's National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) team was among the first to arrive in Myanmar following the recent earthquake, operating alongside international teams including EMERCOM' RUS-03. Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia and Russia agreed to conduct joint search and rescue (SAR) training between the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) and Russia's RUS-03 team. He also expressed appreciation to Russia for the offer to train Malaysia's SMART team and the invitation to allow senior officers from the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia to participate in a specialised course at a leading university in St. Petersburg. Ahmad Zahid also values the inclusion of EMERCOM's cultural ensemble as part of the visit, describing it as a meaningful gesture that fosters people-to-people ties and strengthens the foundation of the long-standing bilateral relationship between Malaysia and Russia.
Sky News
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Devastation in Myanmar: how the earthquake has left some areas almost completely destroyed
Why you can trust Sky News Even with thousands dead and entire neighbourhoods levelled, the ruling military junta in Myanmar maintains its long-term ban on international journalists entering the country. It cited a lack of guaranteed safety that could be provided to foreign media to report on the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquake that rocked the southeast Asian nation on Friday. That may also be because it is still pursuing its campaign against rebel forces amid the destruction. So open-source information from satellite imagery and social media is a vital tool. The picture is incomplete, but gives some sense of the true scale of damage from the quake. Mandalay, Myanmar's second city and just 20km from the epicentre, was hit especially hard. The largest monastery in the city had boasted a clock tower, now completely flattened. Sky's Data & Forensics Unit has analysed the destruction based on a combination of videos like these and satellite imagery. That is not a comprehensive picture of the destruction. For many areas, we don't yet have satellite imagery available - for example the city of Sagaing. But we have verified videos posted to social media which give some idea of the situation there: buildings toppled, flattened pagodas and even a collapsed bridge. The country's military rulers issued a rare call for help after the disaster. Their allies - Russia, India and China - were some of the first to heed the call. On Saturday, a Russian plane registered to the Ministry for Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) arrived in Mawlamyine, southern Myanmar, from Moscow. EMERCOM said it had also flown 120 rescuers and supplies to Yangon, in the south of the country. In Mandalay, Russian and Chinese emergency workers have collaborated in efforts to rescue civilians trapped under rubble, according to a post on the official Telegram channel for EMERCOM. China said it sent more than 135 rescue personnel and pledged about $13.8m (£10.7m) in emergency aid. Chinese President Xi Jinping extended his condolences to the military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing. Other countries have pledged money too including the US, the EU and the UK. But many are worried if aid will be distributed fairly. "Throughout history, the military uses denial of aid access as a counter-insurgency tactic," said Morgan Michaels, research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). "So there is warranted concern that in this current crisis, the military could block aid to affected areas." Some 265 groups in Myanmar have signed a statement calling for aid to be directed to civil society, the National Unity Government, and ethnic resistance organisations, rather than the junta. 0:57 Khin Ohmar, spokesperson for the signatories to the statement, is concerned about aid not reaching areas like Sagaing, which was at the epicentre of the earthquake. She told Sky News: "International rescue aid is not reaching people that need to be saved, and the junta keep bombing areas, including Sagaing, where people were most severely impacted." With an ongoing civil war and poor infrastructure, Myanmar was already one of the most challenging places in the world for aid organisations to operate. Some of the heaviest fighting has concentrated in the areas hit hardest by the earthquake, including Sagaing and Mandalay. Rebel groups in Myanmar that oppose the junta have called for a two-week pause in fighting to help with aid deliveries and rescue efforts, saying they would only take defensive action. But these calls have not stopped the violence. "There were about 11 or so airstrikes [on Sunday]," Mr Michaels told Sky News. "One of these airstrikes happened in Nancho, which is in Shahn State. "We already know that is the site of a major ongoing battle. So that looks more or less like a continuation of fighting with either side using the tools that they've been using all along."
