The day started out as a routine day for the MVFRA
members who had gathered for a quick breakfast before
training.
Little did they realize of the events that awaited them
when they received the distraught call from a girl name
Amy whose house in Taman Segar, Segamat was hit by the
flood waters.
Her family were trapped at the upper floor of the house
without food and water for more than 12 hours. She seeks
help and hope someone could send a boat to evacuate her
family members to a safe place.
Soon after a minute, another distress call the team
received from a guy claiming that his family in Taman
Pelangi was trapped and there were no sign of help
responding to them.
As the residents only means of communications were their
hand phones, they were calling out for help.
Unfortunately, they were unable to contact the local
police station for help as all the lines were engaged.
The
team immediately called the local police station to find
out on how bad the situation was. Upon finding that the
water had raised to a dangerous level, they immediately
activated the immediate small skill operation to Segamat.
2
Fire & Rescue Tender, 1 Ambulance, 2 Disaster Respond
4x4 equipped with Speed Boat, Inflatable Boat & Life
Jackets with 16 Members dispatched to the Red Zone
The team faced many obstacles to arrive to the affected
area as the roads remained impassable to all vehicles
and alternate roads had to be taken as we race against
time we have no choice but to take maximum risk.
All the way from Tangkak passing Gemas to Segamat, most
of the main ways were under water and only those heavy
vehicles were able to pass through.
The team arrived around 11.00am to realize that there
were limited rescue boats responding. An on-site
operation base was immediately setup.
The team had to convert an ambulance bed to an operation
desk for hundreds of effected Segamat folks to report on
their neighbours, and loved ones who were unable to
evacuate on time and trapped at their home.
2
team we mobilized by boats to start with evacuation
operation while the another team to provide support in
the yellow zone while all victim evacuated from red zone
was recorded.
The under current was very strong, it was a challenging
task to carry out the evacuation. One of the
boats was capsized when the team tried an approach in
crossing to another block of building.
The priority was set for women, children, elderly &
handicap however the most critical situation is also
considered such as on top of the roof.
The whole operation was difficult as there were lack of
co-operation from the member of public.
The
bystander had caused a serious block way for the
emergency vehicles to move in and
out.
No doubt many were stranded. However, some refused to be
evacuated due to their lost of property concern.
Safety points were identified and victims were moved
from one point to another until finally they reached the
base.
The sight of the victims being embraced by their loved
ones who were on pins and needles with worry was truly a
poignant moment.
From there the local authorities had taken the victims
to the nearest relief centre that was setup at Sekolah
Tinggi Segamat.
Eventually the local authorities arrived on spot and
there were more rescue teams moving in to save the
victims. The PRDM helicopter carrying out victims were
The rescue operation was carried out until late evening
when
Tzu Chi Buddhist Society arrived at the spot.
The rescue
operation was handed over to them and we made our track
back to KL. A total of 60 victims were rescued whereby
the majority were kids.
