MELAKA: Fire and Rescue personnel who refuse to get Covid-19 vaccinations without valid reasons will be asked to attend counselling sessions, says Datuk Seri Mohammad Hamdan Wahid.

       The Fire and Rescue Department’s director-general said 95% of the 12,500 firemen across the country had been vaccinated while 3% had cited medical reasons for not getting jabbed.

       He said 50, or 2%, had not provided reasonable explanations or had given lame excuses such as being scared of the side effects or cited religious reasons.

       Mohammad Hamdan said the state Fire and Rescue Departments’ directors had been directed to list the names of officers and personnel who continue to avoid getting vaccinated, so they can undergo counselling.

       He noted it is crucial for firemen to be vaccinated as they are involved in emergencies and rescues.

       “An unvaccinated fireman could well pose a health risk to his other colleagues,” he said after the opening of Melaka Fire and Rescue Department’s headquarters at Bukit Katil here by Yang-di Pertua Negeri Tun Dr Mohd Ali Rustam yesterday.

       Meanwhile, Mohammad Hamdan said the department was bracing for the dry weather expected next month.

       He said they were prepared for bush fires, haze and possible water shortages.

       He added that 16 operation rooms that were opened nationwide for flood rescue operations recently, would now be used to manage emergencies during the dry spell.