BATU GAJAH: Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, today opened the Northern Region Malaysia Fire and Rescue Academy in Tronoh.
Present were Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim, Raja Muda Perak Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa, Raja DiHilir Perak Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain Idris Shah and Raja Puan Muda Perak Tunku Soraya Abdul Halim Shah.
Others in attendance included Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and Fire and Rescue Department's deputy-director (operations) Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad.
Sultan Nazrin signed a plaque symbolising the inauguration, then witnessed simulations of rescue operations on water and land, before visiting an exhibition held in conjunction with the opening of the academy.
Nga, in his speech, said the department now operates five academies in Selangor, Terengganu, Perak, Sabah, and Sarawak.
He added that the construction of the RM40 million academy was completed in 2014 and is staffed by 50 firemen led by a commandant.
To support an effective and dynamic training program for firemen, facilities such as Compartment Fire Behavior Training simulators, Breathing Apparatus Training Gallery, and Railway and Spill Gas Simulator have been installed here.
"The academy also utilises existing mining facilities for water rescue training, including boat handling courses and strengthening training for the special Water Rescue Team.
"Now, the academy has been established as a hub and centtr of excellence for water rescue training," he said.