KUALA LUMPUR: The Swift Water Training Complex at the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Academy (ABPM) in Wakaf Tapai, Terengganu, the first in Southeast Asia, is expected to be ready by January 2024.

       Its commander Abdul Khair Osman said firemen would be able to gain knowledge and exposure in conducting three water rescue situations, namely low head dam rescue, urban flood rescue and black water or car-in-water rescue.

       “The low head dam or swift water rescue is designed for situations when there are fast moving waterspouts which occur when swirling air hits the water surface,” he told Bernama.

       Abdul Khair said this was designed following the tragedy when six firefighters drowned during a rescue operation at Taman Putra Perdana Mine in Puchong, Selangor in October 2018.

       “The simulation exercise on urban flood rescue is based on incidents such as the recent floods in Sri Muda, Shah Alam, Selangor.

       “We often encounter problems with buildings that have underground or basement car parks and other facilities.

       “This will allow trainees to experience and learn how to overcome problems in real-world situation during floods in urban areas,” he said.

       The black water rescue simulation is to train them for the rescue of people trapped in cars submerged in water, he added.

       He said the complex, which covers a 485.6ha site, is equipped with various technologies for emergency response training and evacuation of victims.

       “The depth of the pool at the complex is 10m for open water and under normal conditions it is 3m deep,” he said.

       Abdul Khair said the depth could be set according to the situation required for the training or simulation programme including evacuation under limited visibility, as experienced during the recent floods.

       He said currently the complex is in its third phase of development, which includes the construction of a RM12.5mil swimming pool complex. – Bernama