KUALA LUMPUR: The recently launched Emergency Medical Air Ambulance Rescue Services (Emars) is a boost in capability to the Fire and Rescue Department.
Department deputy director-general (development) Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad recently said Emars could respond faster to emergencies, especially in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
"Air ambulance emergency services are increasingly needed, especially in remote areas, such as ferrying patients from Orang Asli villages that are difficult to travel by road.
"Our helicopters are also used to transport doctors and medical officers as well as equipment to remote areas.
"Emars, an innovation of the department, can help the Health Ministry and expand the department's services.
"In cases where our personnel find it difficult to access remote or inaccessible areas due to difficult terrain or traffic congestion, Emars can provide vital assistance."
He said Emars could rescue accident victims in highways and provide emergency first aid to victims before they are taken to hospital, as well as to transport transplant organs.
Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming and Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa launched Emars on April 14.
Nga, at the launch, said Emars, which started operations on May 1, was expected to save the government RM75 million over the five-year administration of the unity government, or RM15 million annually.
Before Emars, Nga said, the government had spent RM20 million per year by using private sector services, such as doctors and medical workers, in rural areas.
Emars now operates only in the peninsula, and the service will be expanded to Sabah and Sarawak once more allocation is obtained.
The air ambulance service uses an Agusta AW109E helicopter, which has been modified and equipped with emergency medical equipment.
The helicopter, which is stationed at the Subang Central Region Air Base, can accommodate seven passengers, including the pilot, medical officer and two victims.
Emars was one of the main elements in the note of understanding (NoU) between the Local Government Development Ministry and the Health Ministry, which was signed on Tuesday.
The NoU was inked by Local Government Development Ministry secretary-general Datuk M. Noor Azman Taib and Health Ministry deputy secretary-general (finance) Datuk Seri Norazman Ayob.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Dr Zaliha and Nga.
The NoU would see collaborations in disaster management, use of resources, sharing of expertise and knowledge, and management of financial allocations.
Nor Hisham said the collaboration between the department and the Health Ministry started in 2016 through the Blue Ocean Strategy initiative, where an exchange of letter was signed for the collaboration of pre-hospital and ambulance care services.
"Through this collaboration, the department has received aid from the ministry for the Advance First Responder Training (basic course) by training our personnel until they receive recognition and become members of the Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) team.
"The department has 1,860 medical personnel accredited by the Health Ministry for the EMRS team and they have been assigned to 197 fire and rescue stations nationwide.
"This includes 104 examining officers, who make sure the competence and skills of EMRS personnel are up to the required level."
He said the department was hoping to have more of its personnel trained and be members of the EMRS.
Meanwhile, the department's Air Division director, Datuk Nazili Mahmood, said: "We hope to increase our air service capacity with the addition of aircraft, especially medium-category helicopters and medical equipment.
"This is important given the increasing number of emergency cases requiring air assistance and the increasingly complex disaster risk."
The department's air division was established on Sept 16, 1998, with two Mi-17-1V helicopters.
The unit has expanded with the acquisition of several helicopters and the expansion of its air base.
The department now has eight aircraft and has airbases in Bertam, Penang; Subang in Selangor; and Miri in Sarawak.
Nazili said the department had held collaborations with other government agencies, such as the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) and the Malaysian Highway Authority, involving the use of air assets (Emars) and more responsive and effective disaster management.
"This cooperation will be extended to other agencies, such as the Prisons Department."