Faced with an ageing fleet, Malaysia's fire department turns to robots and upgrades

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 — The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) is strengthening its operational and logistical capabilities through asset modernisation efforts and the exploration of new technologies, including Unmanned Remote Systems (URS) involving two Fire Fighting Robots (FFRs).

JBPM director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad said the move was crucial for ensuring the department remained prepared to deal with various emergencies, including fires, accidents, rescue operations and large-scale disasters.

He said the replacement of vehicles and equipment would be carried out in stages based on the age and operational capability of existing assets, including the acquisition of 80 Fire Rescue Tenders (FRTs).

According to him, JBPM acquired 686 FRT units between 2001 and 2026, while the requirement based on operational norm stood at 592 units.

“Based on these figures, 372 of the 592 existing units (63 per cent) have exceeded 10 years of service. As such, the procurement of 80 replacement FRT units and 150 existing CFRT (Compact Fire Rescue Tender) units is expected to have a tangible impact on the department’s preparedness and operational capabilities and service delivery in the coming years,” he told Bernama.

Besides replacing vehicles, Nor Hisham said the department was also focusing on improving response times, especially in areas that had yet to meet the stipulated targets, through the construction of new fire stations and the continuation of ongoing projects.

“In a bid to modernise our operational capabilities, the department also plans to acquire URS equipment involving two FFR units, in line with technological advancements to support firefighting and rescue operations.

“The provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly firefighting protective clothing, as well as the addition and replacement of basic rescue equipment, are also important requirements to ensure the safety of personnel while on duty,” he added.

Nor Hisham said the department was also focusing on utility vehicles, logistics for its K9 Unit and operational facilities to support personnel mobility, especially during search and rescue operations and disaster management.

In terms of personnel welfare, the JBPM is focusing on the construction and maintenance of quarters, with total project costs amounting to RM241.6 million, including a ceiling allocation of RM35.1 million for 2027.

A total of RM16 million has also been allocated for facility maintenance, in addition to the approval of redevelopment and modernisation of ageing fire stations, namely the Fire and Rescue Stations (BBP) in Perai, Jalan Perak, Jerantut, Muar and Sarikei.

Nor Hisham expects efforts to strengthen assets, facilities and personnel capabilities to improve asset reliability, departmental preparedness and emergency response capabilities.

In the long term, JBPM is open to exploring the use of electric vehicles (EVs) for FRTs and utility vehicles, with assessments to be conducted on operational suitability, travel distances, battery capacity, charging infrastructure, technical requirements and the total lifecycle cost of the assets.

To support these efforts, the government has approved a Development Expenditure (DE) allocation of RM1.8 billion for JBPM under Budget 2027 to carry out 96 ongoing and new projects, comprising physical development, infrastructure and the procurement of vehicles and equipment, with a ceiling allocation of RM200 million for the year.

“This allocation is extremely important, particularly in meeting the need to replace FRTs, provide protective clothing and other firefighting and rescue equipment,” he added.

On Saturday (Oct 24), Minister of Housing and Local Government Nga Kor Ming announced the allocation of RM200 million under Budget 2027 to enhance firefighters’ efficiency in carrying out rescue missions and preparedness for fire-related disasters. — Bernama

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吉隆坡，10 月 28 日讯——消防救援局 (JBPM) 正在通过资产现代化努力和探索新技术（包括涉及两台消防机器人 (FFR) 的无人遥控系统 (URS)）来加强其运营和后勤能力。

JBPM总监拿督斯里诺希山·穆罕默德表示，此举对于确保该部门随时准备应对各种紧急情况至关重要，包括火灾、事故、救援行动和大规模灾害。

他表示，车辆和设备的更换将根据现有资产的年限和运行能力分阶段进行，包括购置 80 辆消防救援车 (FRT)。

据他称，JBPM 在 2001 年至 2026 年间购置了 686 台 FRT 设备，而根据运营规范，需求量为 592 台。

“根据这些数据，现有592辆消防车中有372辆（63%）服役年限已超过10年。因此，采购80辆替换型FRT消防车和150辆现有CFRT（小型消防救援车）预计将对消防部门未来几年的备灾能力、行动能力和服务水平产生切实的影响，”他告诉马新社。

除了更换车辆外，诺希沙姆表示，消防部门还致力于提高响应时间，尤其是在尚未达到规定目标的地区，通过建设新的消防站和继续进行正在进行的项目来实现这一目标。

“为了实现我们行动能力的现代化，该部门还计划购置 URS 设备，包括两套 FFR 单元，以配合技术进步，支持消防和救援行动。

他还补充说：“提供个人防护装备（PPE），特别是消防防护服，以及增添和更换基本救援设备，也是确保人员执勤时安全的重要要求。”

Nor Hisham表示，该部门还重点关注多用途车辆、警犬队的后勤保障以及支持人员机动性的运营设施，尤其是在搜救行动和灾害管理期间。

在人员福利方面，JBPM 重点关注宿舍的建设和维护，项目总成本达 2.416 亿令吉，其中包括 2027 年 3510 万令吉的最高拨款额。

此外，政府还拨款 1600 万令吉用于设施维护，并批准对老旧消防站进行重建和现代化改造，包括北赖、霹雳路、再连突、麻坡和泗里街的消防救援站 (BBP)。

Nor Hisham 期望通过加强资产、设施和人员能力来提高资产可靠性、部门准备和应急响应能力。

从长远来看，JBPM 愿意探索使用电动汽车 (EV) 作为 FRT 和多用途车辆，并将对运营适用性、行驶里程、电池容量、充电基础设施、技术要求和资产的总生命周期成本进行评估。

为支持这些努力，政府已批准在 2027 年财政预算案中向 JBPM 拨款 18 亿令吉的发展支出 (DE)，用于开展 96 个正在进行和新的项目，包括实体发展、基础设施以及车辆和设备的采购，年度拨款上限为 2 亿令吉。

他补充说：“这项拨款极其重要，尤其是在满足更换消防救援人员、提供防护服和其他消防救援设备的需求方面。”

10月24日（星期六），房屋及地方政府部长倪可敏宣布，2027年财政预算案将拨款2亿令吉，用于提升消防员的救援效率和应对火灾灾害的能力。——马新社

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