More boots on the ground: Kelantan Fire Dept weighs 24- or 48-hour duty shifts during monsoon season

KOTA BHARU, Nov 11 — The Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) is contemplating extending the working hours of its staff to a maximum of 48 hours during the 2026/2027 Northeast Monsoon season, to boost their capacity for rescue operations. Director Farhan Sufyan Borhan revealed that the department may shift from the present 12-hour rotation to either 24- or 48-hour shifts, contingent on the operational needs and circumstances during an emergency.

Currently, personnel are divided into three groups, each working a 12-hour shift to maintain a continuous operation at the fire stations. "To augment the number of people on duty during significant floods, we will adjust leave and transition to 24-hour shifts, thereby heightening the on-duty personnel," Farhan stated to Bernama recently.

He further mentioned that imposing a freeze on leave could be considered, depending on the gravity of the disaster, to guarantee an adequate workforce, especially when the rescue mission necessitates the deployment of additional personnel. However, Farhan emphasized that the adequacy of resources, such as boats, trucks, and four-wheel-drive vehicles, was equally vital for operational efficacy, as bolstering manpower alone would prove insufficient without the requisite equipment.

In a related matter, JBPM has pinpointed susceptible populations, including the elderly, individuals with disabilities (PwDs), and those confined to bed in flood-prone regions, to facilitate evacuation initiatives during potential flooding. This initiative was carried out in collaboration with the State Disaster Management Committee, encompassing the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and the Health Department.

Farhan disclosed that the effort entailed compiling data on residents requiring special assistance during evacuation, including the count of elderly individuals and PwDs in high-risk zones, to aid in operational planning. He added that the actual evacuation process would hinge on prevailing conditions when a calamity strikes, particularly during its early stages, which are typically challenging for rescue agencies.

He also highlighted the significance of training and inter-agency collaboration to ensure a secure and orderly evacuation of vulnerable groups. Last Sunday, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) issued a caution-level alert for persistent rainfall in several Kelantan, Pahang, Sabah, and Terengganu areas, as well as in Terengganu, until today.

MetMalaysia noted that the affected regions in Kelantan comprised Tanah Merah, Pasir Mas, Tumpat, Kota Bharu, Machang, Bachok, Pasir Puteh, Kuala Krai, and Jeli. Subsequently, the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre under the Department of Irrigation and Drainage forecasted that nine districts in Kelantan might be susceptible to flooding during the same timeframe.