IN the aftermath of a powerful earthquake in Turkiye in February 2023, a scene of devastation unfolded amidst the chaos and sorrow.
The once bustling streets of a city lay in disarray, as buildings crumbled into piles of debris and rubble. The air was thick with dust, making it difficult to see more than a few meters ahead.
Rescue workers, both local and international, tirelessly searched through the wreckage for survivors.
Their orange vests and helmets stood out against the backdrop of destruction as they carefully moved aside debris, hoping to uncover any signs of life. The sound of sirens wailed in the distance, a constant reminder of the urgency of the situation.
Local volunteers and community members worked furiously side by side with emergency personnel, handing out water, food, and medical supplies to those in need.
The solidarity of the people was palpable, as they came together to support one another in the face of adversity.
Cracks in the roads and collapsed bridges made transportation a challenge, and the few vehicles that managed to navigate the debris moved slowly and cautiously.
The once-vibrant marketplaces and squares were now unrecognisable, reduced to mounds of broken concrete and shattered glass.
The scene was one of contrasts: moments of resilience and heroism juxtaposed with the overwhelming sense of loss.
As the sun set, casting an eerie glow over the scene, the city's skyline was forever changed. But amid the destruction, there was also a glimmer of hope, a reminder that in the darkest of times, humanity's capacity for compassion and support will never fail to come through.
Observing from the forefront, the lean contingent commander, Abdul Manaf Che Isa, kept a vigilant eye on his team in sector four of Gaziantep.
This area covered the urban expanse of Nurdagi, characterised by a concentration of commercial buildings, hotels and residential complexes. He was well aware that the day ahead would unfold as another bitterly cold ordeal, fraught with difficulties and hazards.
"I was appointed by the government of Malaysia as the contingent commander for MAS10," begins Manaf, his weather-beaten face wreathed in a smile, as he sits in full uniform regalia, opposite me. Deeply tanned with a lithe, sinewy build, Manaf's keen gaze pierces, and he maintains an erect position, hands neatly clasped, all the while attentively studying me.
MAS10 was the team operating under the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), consisting of 20 members from the Special Malaysian Search and Rescue Team (Smart), 30 members from the Fire & Rescue Department (Storm unit), and 20 officers from the Civil Defence Force.
Manaf says: "Malaysia boasts two primary search-and-rescue units: The Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart), which falls under the jurisdiction of the National Security Council, and the Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (Storm) unit in the Fire and Rescue Department (FRDM)."
It was an elite team, he says, pride in his voice. The ordeal was monumental, fraught with complexities that tested the limits of their expertise and endurance.
As they embarked on this mission, they grappled with a series of pressing issues. Vital resources, such as petrol, electricity, and basic necessities like food and shelter weren't readily available. In a situation where even communication posed challenges due to language barriers, the team's mettle was truly tested.
"For me and my team, we never faced anything like this before. It was the first time handling a large-scale operation," he says, reflecting on the magnitude of their task.
The mission spanned a gruelling 15 days of non-stop, round-the-clock efforts, leaving no room for exhaustion to deter their commitment. The frigid nights, where temperatures dropped to a bone-chilling -15°C, exacerbated the situation further.
"Trust me, this dark skin?" he rubs his arm while chuckling, "It didn't take to the cold very well!"
BOMBA'S ELITE FORCE
If you're thinking of your friendly fireman rescuing a kitten from a tree or putting out a fire, think again. "No, we don't do that!" insists Manaf with a smile. Rather, it's an elite team called the "special team" that's strategically positioned at key fire stations in Malaysia.
The special team, says Manaf, comprises the Emergency Medical Rescue Services, the K9 unit (using search-and-rescue dogs), the Storm unit and the Hazmat Unit, which takes care of incidents involving leaks or spills of hazardous chemicals, such as acids or ammonia. In times of crisis, their deployment can be swiftly organised, contingent on the magnitude of the scenario.
Manaf, who's also involved in the training of the Storm team, tells me that their role transcends that of a firefighter, operating on a vastly different spectrum of duties.
Since its establishment in March 2011, Storm has garnered acclaim as an award-winning search-and-rescue (SAR) team, distinguished by its round-the-clock readiness at FRDM airbases and state branch headquarters.
At the core of Storm's mandate lies a comprehensive set of tasks that encompass a diverse range of exigencies, which includes night rescue operations, complex urban search and rescue (Usar), penetrating deep jungles to effect rescues, air-sea rescues, mountain rescues, large-scale natural disasters and responding swiftly to airplane and helicopter crashes.
Dubbed Komando Bomba (or Bomba Commando), Storm's membership is an honour earned through a demanding selection course tantamount to the rigours of the basic commando course.
Prospective members, primarily drawn from the ranks of firefighters, must meet the exacting standards set by the Individual Physical Proficiency Test, a benchmark also employed by the Singapore armed forces, Singapore police force and Singapore Civil Defence Force. Only after passing this gauntlet are candidates permitted to embark on the basic storm course.
"They're like Marvel's superheroes…" I blurt out, eliciting a laugh from Manaf.
"Their training differs from regular firefighters," he says. They have a very tight schedule with daily, weekly, monthly and yearly training programmes."
Upon embarking on the foundational Storm course, recruits are immersed in an intensive training regimen that unrelentingly evaluates their capabilities and propels their rescue skills to the forefront of excellence.
These rigorous sessions demand unwavering determination, extracting maximum effort and unwavering perseverance through sweat-soaked trials that span the entirety of the course.
Marked as the most extensive and arduous foundational curriculum, this course poses a formidable trial for physical prowess and mental acumen.
Its demanding nature is evidenced by a steep attrition rate — a mere 39 people out of 423 firefighters successfully navigated the rigorous Storm Special Course in 2019, constituting a modest seven per cent of those who dared to undertake the endeavour.
"It isn't for the faint-hearted," says Manaf. "In any case, they are rigorously trained to handle whatever challenges that may come their way."
UNITED DURING DISASTERS
There are several phases the team needs to undergo before being deployed to help with SAR efforts in disaster areas. Before being sent to places like Turkiye, the team had to undergo strict vetting, which included assessing their health and fitness levels.
"Even the dogs in the K9 unit are tested as well!" he adds, before continuing: "A lot of protocols, standards, legislation and best practices are followed. There are many phases to go through before we deploy our personnel, including the mobilisation phase as well as the activation phase."
Cutting-edge gear in the Storm arsenal also undergoes scrutiny, confirming its operational readiness for on-site utilisation.
"We have all the state-of-the-art equipment needed for an urban search-and-rescue operation," says Manaf.
This includes hydraulic equipment, electrical tools, heavy machinery, snake-eye search cameras and even equipment used to stabilise a collapsed structure.
The Smart task force deployed to Turkiye, which also included personnel from the FDRM, is a United Nations' International Search And Rescue Advisory Group certified urban SAR team.
Malaysia is the second disaster relief team to be certified in Southeast Asia after the Singaporean Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team. "We certainly have the competency and the skill to be effective in any disaster area," says Manaf.
In any case, it's a collaborative effort, he adds.
Amid any disaster-stricken terrain, a concerted effort unites various departments in the pursuit of seamless teamwork.
This collaborative endeavour encompasses a multitude of agencies and governmental entities. In Malaysia, an array of departments is intricately engaged in the intricate task of search and rescue.
Under the purview of the National Security Council and specifically guided by Directive No. 20: Policy and Mechanism of National Disaster Management and Relief, precise directives are outlined. These directives delineate the designated authoritative department and define the roles of supporting agencies, all designed to prevent any potential overlap and ensure a cohesive response.
FDRM also works with the National Emergency Management Committee led by the deputy director-general of operations for any disaster that occurs in and out of the country.
This committee works closely with the National Disaster Command Centre of Nadma at the Prime Minister's office.
"There are no overlapping of duties and we remain in our lanes, focusing on our competencies," says Manaf.
The special SAR teams will usually work together with the firefighters and other personnel to help rescue victims when a natural disaster strikes.
When monumental crises demand a united front, Storm collaborates with the Federal Search and Rescue Special Force, the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart), overseen by the National Security Council.
Their efforts are complemented by a tapestry of expert units, including the indigenous police contingent Senoi Praaq, the police's VAT 69 Commando, the General Operations Force, the special operations arm of the armed forces, and the Civil Defence Force.
"We may come from different units and departments, but we have just one mission in mind… to save lives," asserts Manaf quietly.
While Malaysia is generally spared from the brunt of natural disasters, such as typhoons, volcanoes, and earthquakes, we shouldn't be complacent.
After all, we're not completely free from the risk of earthquakes, according to the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry.
The ministry said the effects of earthquakes that occur in Sumatera, Indonesia and the movement of tectonic plates of the Indian-Australian Plate can result in the activation of ancient faults in Peninsular Malaysia and cause earthquakes.
"We must be ready and we are," assures Manaf. "We have to prepare for the unexpected. All the rescues allow us the opportunity to train and be alert at all times."
And that also means building bases for the elite teams all around Malaysia. Speaking of the FRDM's ambitions, he reveals the vision to establish exclusive bases for the Storm unit in six regions nationwide (north, south, east, west, Sabah and Sarawak).
"We've secured funding for the acquisition of six urban search-and-rescue machines," he says, a note of pride resonating in his voice.
Tough times beget tough people. Through rigorous training and their steely resolve to face unspeakable tragedies and dangerous circumstances, the search-and-rescue team's determination shines bright, reflecting their unwavering commitment to humanity.
Their triumph in Turkiye underscored the importance of preparation, collaboration and resilience, proving that amid the gravest challenges, heroes emerge to restore hope and rebuild lives.