KOTA TINGGI: Fire and rescue personnel play a vital role in the search and rescue (SAR) operations in the event of a natural disaster, an accident or a boat capsize tragedy.

       Bad weather conditions and the discovery of bloated bodies are among the challenges faced by the personnel, apart from having to comply with strict standard operating procedure (SOP) when carrying out their duties, Bernama reported.

       Bandar Penawar Fire and Rescue Station Senior Fire Officer II Faizal Ahmad said the strict SOP being observed since the outbreak of Covid-19 had taught him and his team a lot about the meaning of patience in discharging their responsibilities.

       “Since the emergence of Covid-19, we have been carrying out operations differently. In the past, when we found a body, we would retrieve it immediately.

       “(But) now, when a body is found, we have to follow the SOP, including carrying out disinfection procedures, wearing PPE (personal protective equipment) and only then the body can be lifted,” he said.

       Faizal said the department will now inform the operations control centre about the discovery of a body, apart from the police and the Health Ministry.

       “Then, I will ask my team to get ready... we will wrap up the body before sending it to the hospital.”

       He said mental strength also plays an important role, especially when retrieving a decomposed body of a drowned victim.