SMART (Malaysia)

Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team
Pasukan Mencari dan Menyelamat Khas Malaysia
Active 18 May 1994–present; 24 years
Country  Malaysia
Branch Malaysian Armed Forces
Royal Malaysian Police
Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia
Type Disaster Relief and Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Task Force
Role Conducting disaster relief and rescue operations locally and internationally
Size 134 Personnel (September 2019)
Part of

Prime Minister Department

National Disaster Management Agency
Garrison/HQ

Pulau Meranti, Puchong, Selangor

Office : +603-8063 5913

Faxs  : +603-8063 5915
Colour of Beret   Dark blue
Commanders
Commander

Colonel Mohd Tahar bin Abdul Razak

Email: mohdtahar@nadma.gov.my

Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Malay: Pasukan Mencari dan Menyelamat Khas Malaysia, Jawi: ڤاسوكن منچاري دان مڽلامت خاص مليسيا) or internationally known as SMART, is a disaster relief and rescue task force established under the National Security Council based on the approval of the Cabinet on May 18, 1994. The SMART task force is a United Nations INSARAG certified Heavy USAR (Urban Search and Rescue team).

The team draws its members from Malaysian Armed Forces , Royal Malaysian Police and Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia.

History

Malaysia has been through three major disasters since 1988 which is Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal bridge collapse in the year 1988, Bright Sparklers Fireworks disaster in 1991 and Klang Port Chong Hong 3 Tanker Explosion in 1992.[1] The pinnacle of disaster in Malaysia happens in the year 1993 when the Highland Towers collapse in Ulu Klang, outskirt of Kuala Lumpur. The tragedy came to world attention in which five countries sent aid workers to help. They are from the USA, Great Britain, Détachement d'intervention catastrophes aéromobile (DICA) from France, Japan Disaster Relief Team (JDRT) from Japan and Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) from Singapore.[2] The JDRT lead by Kiyoshi Shidara then donates their sophisticated equipment to Malaysia.[3][4]

Following the collapse of the Highland Towers tragedy, on December 11, 1993, Malaysia intends to establish a disaster rescue team based on Japanese JDRT.[5][6] The Cabinet Committee then convened on 18 May 1994 approved the establishment of the SMART team under the management of the National Security Council. The SMART will draw its members from three government departments which are Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (FRDM), Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) and the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF).

On August 1, 1996, SMART finally established with a strength of 85 personnel including officers. SMART is put under the National Security Council.

On January 1, 2004, SMART is expanded to 104 personnel.

On June 1, 2009, SMART moving to new SMART Headquarter in Pulau Meranti, Puchong.

On June 1, 2014, SMART is expanding again to 141 personnel and their salary grade was standardised.

On May 2015, SMART planning to apply for INSARAG certification.[7]

On June 5, 2016, SMART gets INSARAG certification. With this certification, SMART is the second Disaster Relief team to be certified in Southeast Asia after the Singaporean Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team.[8]

Functions

Under National Security Council Directive No.19 and Directive No.20, there are four main functions of SMART outlined by the Malaysian Government:

  1. Act to perform search and rescue duties which the task is beyond the capabilities of existing rescue agencies.
  2. Conduct search and rescue operations which it requires high expertise and sophisticated equipment.
  3. Responsible in the event which is expected to be a major disaster and involving many victims.
  4. Act to help in overseas disasters when directed to do so by the Prime Minister.

Identity

Dark Blue Beret

All SMART members wear navy blue beret.

Red Helmet

SMART team wear same red helmet worn by FRDM Special Forces.

Blue Uniform

All SMART members wear blue uniform to differentiate them from other rescue team.

Four white water drop shapes

Symbolises the four roles of SMART which are:

  • Search
  • Rescue
  • Assist rescue efforts
  • Provide rescue assistance overseas

Four yellow coloured sharp shapes

Represent four types of disastrous threats:

  • Land
  • Sea
  • Air
  • Disaster at overseas

Four red coloured round shape

Symbolises the four key capabilities of SMART:

  • Moving fast
  • Always ready
  • Move within 24 hours to help either local or overseas
  • Special expertise in technical assistance

Center of the target shape

Symbolising always in a state ready to be moved within 24 hours notice.

Upward pointing arrow shape

Symbolises the power or effort toward the success of the rescue or describe the hardships to produce something of a pleasure.

Hand with thumb up shape

Symbolises the process of handling or lifting something out. Used to reveal:

  • Help
  • Ability
  • Efficiency
  • Success
  • Good deed
  • Brilliance
  • Power / skills

Red, yellow, blue and white colours

Colours on the flag of Malaysia

Selections and training

SMART only opens its membership to personnel from Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia, Royal Malaysian Police and Malaysian Armed Forces.

At the original department

  1. Priority shall be given to candidates who are really interested from respectively department or agency's announcement.
  2. Physically and mentally healthy, and passed medical examination from the government or military hospital.
  3. Have a good track record and is certified free of disciplinary action.

SMART Stage

All selected candidates into the SMART Stage will be test based on:

Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT)

Candidates will undergo series of circuit consist of sit up, pulls up, standing board jump, 4 x 10m shuttle run and 2.4 km, 7 km and 18 km run.

Phobia of height test

10m platform diving, 300m swimming freestyle and five minutes float conducted at PULAPOL, Semarak Street, Kuala Lumpur.

Phobia of blood and corpses test

The test will be assessed by Kuala Lumpur Hospital Forensic Unit.

Phobia of dark and confined space test

Test session will be done in Smoke Gallery at Fire and Rescue Academy of Malaysia (FRAM), Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor.

Final interview

Candidates will be interviewed by the board of interviewer consist of T/SUM, BPB, BKP and Commander of SMART.

Basic Course

SMART Special Course

This arduous course lasts for 11 weeks. In this course, trainees will be trained hard at anytime. Among the module that's been taught during the course is; Medical, Urban search and rescue (USAR), Road Traffic Accident (RTA), High Angle & Rope rescue, HAZMAT and many more. In addition, the trainees are also required to undergo physical training everyday as well as individual and team tests such as obstacle courses and endurance circuit. IPPT are also conducted every Friday throughout the course and the final test; trainers will tested with 30 km casualty evacuation through hilly terrain around Kuala Kubu Bharu.

Bronze Medallion Rescue Course

This is a three week military style water rescue course organised by SMART in cooperation with Life Saving Society Malaysia (Malay: Persatuan Penyelamat Kelemasan Malaysia; PPKM). This course is a must for SMART and Life Guard members.[9]

In the final examination, trainees need to pass few test in order to get the Bronze Medallion Certificate:

  1. 50m swimming and 50m Chin-tow circuit.
  2. 50m swimming and 50m Rope-towing circuit.
  3. 20m rope throwing.
  4. 25m fully clothes Cross-chest towing.
  5. Combine rescue.
International Life Saver Certificate

International Life Saver (ILS) is an international certificate for water rescue. Bronze Medallion Rescue Course trainee needs to take three more tests to get ILS certificate. The three tests are:

  1. 100m swimming under 1 minute and 40 seconds.
  2. 300m swimming under 9 minutes.
  3. 25m diving underwater under one breath.

First Responder Life Support (FRLS) Course

FRLS Course is a two level paramedic management course and usually organised at Malaysian Civil Defense Force Academy (ALPHA).

At level 1, trainees will learn basic paramedic techniques and skills. At level 2, trainees will learn how to differ trauma patients from other patients and how to treat them.

Advance Course

SMART always train together with other government agency and department. They even conduct training to private sectors and educational institutions.

SMART enjoys good relations with Singaporean Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) and they always train together.

Missions

Among the missions that have participated, including:[10]

  • 1996: Search and Rescue operation for Genting Highland bus accidents, Pahang.
  • 1996: Search and Rescue mission for Greg Storm in Keningau, Sabah.
  • 1997: Rescue and firefighting mission for Indonesian forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia.
  • 1999: Search and Rescue operation for İzmit Earthquake disaster in Golchuk, Turkey.
  • 2001: Search and Rescue operation at Mount Kinabalu, Sabah.
  • 2001: Search and Rescue mission for Gujerat Earthquake disaster in Gujerat, India.
  • 2002: Search and Rescue mission for Simunjan landslide incident in Simunjan, Sarawak.
  • 2002: Search and Rescue mission for Taman Hillview landslide incident on June 2002 in Ulu Klang, Selangor. This incident happens near to Highland Tower.
  • 2003: Search and Rescue mission for The Curve building collapse in Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
  • 2004: Search and Rescue mission for Taman Harmoni landslide in Gombak, Selangor.
  • 2004: Search and Rescue mission for Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami disaster in Acheh, Indonesia.
  • 2005: Search and Rescue operation for Nias–Simeulue earthquake disaster in Nias, Indonesia.
  • 2005: Search and Rescue mission for Kashmir earthquake disaster in Balakot, Pakistan.
  • 2005: Rescue and firefighting mission for Riau forest fire in Riau, Indonesia.
  • 2006: Search and Rescue mission for Kampung Pasir landslide in Ulu Klang, Selangor. This incident happens not too far from Highland Tower.
  • 2006: Search and Rescue operation for Southern Leyte mudslide disaster in Leyte, Philippines.
  • 2006: Search and Rescue operation for Yogyakarta earthquake disaster in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
  • 2007: Rescue mission for Johor flood victims.
  • 2008: Search and Rescue mission for Ulu Yam landslide in Ulu Yam, Selangor.
  • 2008: Search and Rescue mission for Bukit Antarabangsa landslide incident in Ulu Klang, Selangor. This incident happens not far from Highland Tower.
  • 2009: Search and Rescue mission for cave collapse at Ipoh Cave Temples in Ipoh, Perak.
  • 2009: Search and Rescue operation for building collapse in Section 14, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
  • 2009: Search and Rescue operation for Sumatra earthquakes disaster in Padang, Indonesia.
  • 2013: Search and Rescue operation for Genting Highland bus accidents, Pahang.
  • 2013: Search and Rescue operation for Typhoon Haiyan disaster in Leyte, Philippines.
  • 2014: Search and Rescue operation for Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 incident in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine.
  • 2015: Search and Rescue mission for Nepal earthquake disaster in Nepal.[11]
  • 2015: Search and Rescue mission for Sabah earthquake disaster in Ranau, Sabah.[12]
  • 2016: Search and Rescue operation for Taman Idaman landslide incident in Serendah, Selangor
  • 2016: Search and Rescue operation for KL Eco City flyover collapse in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.[13]

References

  1. ↑ "Remaining Victims Found In Malaysian Tanker Explosion". www.joc.com. Retrieved 2017-05-11.
  2. ↑ "Kronologi tragedi Highland Towers". Sinar Harian. 10 December 2013. Retrieved 2017-05-12.
  3. ↑ "Gift of equipment for Malaysia". New Sunday Times. 19 December 1993.
  4. ↑ "Pasukan Jepun derma peralatan". Berita Mingguan. 19 December 1993.
  5. ↑ "Malaysia boleh pelajari strategi Jepun". Berita Mingguan. 19 December 1993.
  6. ↑ "Pakaian seragam untuk penyelamat". Berita Mingguan. 19 December 1993.
  7. ↑ "Smart mahu dapatkan pengiktirafan INSARAG". Utusan Online. Retrieved 2017-05-12.
  8. ↑ Divakaran, P. "SMART gets INSARAG certification". The Star Online. Retrieved 2017-05-12.
  9. ↑ Nahrul Khair, Basthiah. "Kursus Sijil Pingat Gangsa: Becoming Dayang Senandung". irenang.blogspot. Retrieved 2017-05-13.
  10. ↑ "SMART". mkn.gov.my. Retrieved 2017-05-13.
  11. ↑ "Valuable experience for SMART in Nepal". www.thesundaily.my. Retrieved 2017-05-13.
  12. ↑ "MKN Gerak Pasukan SMART Ke Sabah". Mynewshub. Retrieved 2017-05-13.
  13. ↑ "Mencari bawah runtuhan". HM Online (in Malay). 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2017-05-13.
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