KUALA LUMPUR: To ensure utmost preparedness in case of disasters, the Fire and Rescue Department needs to be equipped with state-of-the-art assets, says Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

       The Housing and Local Government Minister told the media on Saturday (March 19) that they had submitted a request to the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapha Mohamed.

       Among these, he said were items such as remote buoys to aid rescue of victims in unreachable areas such as in the middle of the sea.

       Remote buoys or robotic water rescue units can be remotely controlled by rescuers and take them to safety.

       Reezal Merican said such high-tech gear would be on top of existing assets such as boats.

       He also said that they were currently engaging the public through community programmes to empower them to help during disasters.

       "The first responder during any disaster would be the public, then only firemen," he said.

       Aside from the marine assets, he said the ministry had also requested for more air assets.

       He gave the recent floods in Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam, where some areas were inaccessible by boat and victims could only be reached using helicopters.

       "Some areas became 'islands' and could only be reached by air.

       "Therefore, the ministry is also requesting for helicopters with heavier load-lifting capabilities," Reezal Merican said.

       He added that he would ensure the department is at the highest state of preparedness to ensure public confidence.

       He was talking to the press during his visit to the media centre during the Umno general assembly 2021 in World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.