The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (Bomba) plays a crucial role in emergency response operations in the country. According to their annual report, in 2023 alone, they received 34,389 and 92,307 calls for fire and rescue help, respectively. Even though a small incident in the workplace can be handled by the Emergency Response Team (ERT), professional help from Bomba is often needed when the incident escalates beyond the scope of the Emergency Response Plan (ERP). Hence, ERT Leaders and On Scene Commanders must make sure the incident handover to Bomba is smooth to support their operations.
Provide Information About The Incident
Providing comprehensive information about the incident before or during Bomba’s arrival allows firefighters to strategize their action plans effectively in the shortest time possible. The historian of the ERT should have the chronology ready with some key information, such as:
- Potential cause of the fire or incident
- The number of victims (if any)
- How severe the fire or incident is
- Actions that have been taken to handle the incident
Provide Information About The Workplace
Understanding the incident location also helps firefighters plan their entry and exit, besides avoiding potential hazards that can threaten their safety. The ERT Leaders or On Scene Commanders should have the workplace information ready to brief the firefighters upon their approval. The workplace information includes:
- The exact location of the incident
- Workplace layout map with emergency routes
- Workplace area size and ceiling height
- Potential hazards such as gas cylinders, chemicals, or electrical risks
- Location of firefighting facilities
Ensure Firefighting Facilities Are Ready To Use
All workplaces with valid fire certificates issued by Bomba should have adequate working firefighting facilities, like fire hoses and fire hydrants. While the conditions of these facilities should be checked regularly during fire drills, the ERT should make sure that they are ready to use before the arrival of Bomba to save time, including the adequacy of water supplies. Any malfunctioning of firefighting facilities should be notified to the Bomba as early as possible so that arrangements can be made to overcome the shortcoming.
Ensure Clear Access For Bomba Fire Truck
If the workplace has multiple accesses, Bomba should be informed of the nearest access to the incident location. All vehicles that might obstruct the access for fire trucks should be moved and the evacuated crowd should gather in a safe location that does not hinder the access of firefighters.
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Incident handover should be included in the workplace ERP because it is an important step in incident escalations should the incident go out of hand. The ERT should maintain a close relationship with the nearest Bomba fire station and actively involve them in regular fire drills so that the ERT is familiar with how Bomba firefighters work to provide them with the best assistance for efficient damage control of an incident.
