A FIRE and rescue exercise was organised by the Underground Works Contractor for the MRT Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya (SSP) Line, MMC-Gamuda KVMRT (T) Sdn Bhd (MGKT) on 23 April 2018 at the Bandar Malaysia North Station site.

Members of the media were invited to witness this event.

This exercise included a demonstration on how rescue operations are carried out following a “Serious Road Traffic Collision” involving two vehicles with multiple victims trapped in the vehicles.

The objectives of the event were to showcase the significant activities of MGKT’s Fire and Rescue team and its composition while demonstrating the team’s abilities in carrying out rescue operations and also rendering medical attention.

MGKT Project Director Mr Satpal Bhogal started the event by explaining that MGKT places a high emphasis on safety, which is in line with Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) values as the Project Owner of the project.

Incidents that occur underground is of higher danger compared to those in the elevated section, thus MGKT has to proactively use a process of identifying hazards, assessing associated risks and implement clearly defined and effective risk control measures.

Emergency Response Team (ERT) is also one of the proactive measures in line with MGKT’s Safety and Health Manifesto.

MGKT Safety, Health and Environment Head Mr Christopher Felton then took the floor to clarify that the focus of the exercise today was not on preventative measures but rather the capability to deal with emergencies that occur.

He went on to explain that the safety personnel on hand during fires are similar to those equipped by the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (BOMBA), but also somewhat different. Special gears and equipments have been designed specifically to suit situations that are needed to be handled when underground.

The exercise was seen as a success as the Fire and Rescue team managed to save the ‘victims’ within the time limit of extrication standards of below 20 minutes.