Butterworth - More than 40 people picked up vital life-saving skills in a first aid and emergency rescue training organised by Bagan MCA Youth division.
They were taught basic skills including fire-fighting and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the Malaysia Civil Defence Department (JPAM) Butterworth centre.
The programme is supported by Penang Crisis Relief Squad MCA (CRSM) and JPAM.
Organising chairman and Bagan MCA Deputy Youth chief Ooi Ghee Loon said such skills helped participants to respond effectively in accidents or calamities.
Penang MCA Liaison Committee chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, who was also present, shared her experience in rescue missions during the massive floods in Johor in 2006.
At the height of the situation there, the Kota Tinggi district saw water rising over two storeys high and at least 100,000 people were evacuated.
She said the heavy rain lasted for at least a month.
“We were sitting on boats in the city area and distributed food and water to the victims. Our resources were mobilised to the maximum then.
“We also worked very closely with Tzu Chi voluntary groups,” she said.
Chew said CRSM was closely associated with Penang as it was formed after the tsunami in 2004 that took away scores of lives in the state.
“In the tsunami aftermath, I saw victims experiencing hardship, both mentally and physically.
“We decided to set up CRSM in 2005.
“We wanted to rope in youths who could contribute to society.
“All the members are trained to face disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes or floods and how to conduct relief and rescue operations,” she said.
At the end of the programme, JPAM gave out certificates of completion to the participants.
Those who completed the programme can apply to become members of JPAM.
They can also receive professional intensive training and enjoy special allowances thereafter.
source from The Star
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