KUALA LUMPUR: Over 24,000 Fire and Rescue Department personnel have been deployed in anticipation of the second wave of floods.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the department was also set to receive 30 state-of-the-art fire engines from China worth RM60 million.
"These fire engines are based on a strategic partnership between our countries," he told reporters following the northeast monsoon briefing at the Hang Tuah fire station today.
Present was Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad.
Meanwhile, Nga said there was no need for rescuers to start mobilising because they are already there.
"A total of 13,556 Fire and Rescue Department personnel with the help of 2,147 auxiliary firefighters and 8,421 volunteer firefighters will be involved in the second wave operations.
"They responded to 1,111 distress calls related to natural disasters between Nov 5 and yesterday.
"They were also involved in 1,119 flood evacuation operations involving 5,193 victims during the same period," he said adding that the government has to take extraordinary measures to face this years northeast monsoon season.
He explained that this included deploying 82,000 rescuers from various agencies to help displaced victims," he said.
Nga said the Fire and Rescue Department was 90 per cent ready for the next wave.
"More than RM200 million has been allocated to the department over the years has enabled the department to be at its best," he said.
Nga said the department has been allocated RM40 million for the procurement of 231 new vehicles via the 2025 Budget.
"These vehicles comprise 200 light vehicles such as vans, rapid rescue vehicles and utility trucks as well as 26 light fire forensic vehicles and five canine rescue tender vehicles," he said.
Meanwhile, Nor Hisham said five helicopters were at the ready for the second wave.
"Two of these aircraft would be based at the Northern Region Air Base in Bertam, Penang, two others will be based at the Central Region Air Base in Subang, Selangor, while the fifth will be based at the Sarawak Air Base.
"Six forward refuelling points have also been set up for these aircraft in Bachok, Gua Musang, Ipoh, Kuantan, Mersing and Ranau," he said.
He also said two rescue divers and 10 open water divers would be deployed as well as two drones together with six pilots to aid in the operations.