PUCHONG, Oct 30 — The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) has formed 29 Quick-Response Teams (QRTs) to handle floods and other disasters during the northeast monsoon (MTL).
JBPM director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohamad, said the teams’ duties are separate from their regular fire station roles, allowing them to concentrate on flood-related incidents without disrupting daily operations such as firefighting and rescue missions.
“When we set up these QRTs, they will be on standby to handle or respond to flood calls … Each QRT comprises 18 personnel to ensure swift action without affecting normal station operations,” he told reporters after the Engagement Session with Media: Government Preparedness for the 2025/2026 Northeast Monsoon event, held here today, attended by representatives from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Social Welfare Department (JKM), and the Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).
The northeast monsoon is expected from November 6 to March 26, with five to seven continuous heavy rain episodes forecast throughout the season.
Nor Hisham added that the JBPM has also distributed 150 boats nationwide to facilitate early evacuation efforts during the monsoon.
“We distributed them to Kuala Lipis (Pahang), Kuala Langat, Dengkil, and the Kuala Selangor area. Last week, we trained with the Pahang menteri besar (Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail), who operated one of the boats since his constituency in Jelai experiences frequent floods,” he said.
