Meet the ‘heroines' of Storm – JBPM's most elite rescue force
03 Aug 2025 01:03pm
Members of the Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (Storm) under the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) perform a demonstration at the Presint 7 Fire and Rescue Station in Putrajaya, recently. Photo by Bernama
PUTRAJAYA - Rescue operations in Malaysia have always been the domain of men, but these days women are also joining the elite Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (Storm) under the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM).
Known for handling high-risk missions, Storm comprises only highly skilled firefighters who are always on standby to be deployed for large-scale rescue operations.
However, the presence of women in this elite unit has brought a new dimension, especially during missions involving women and child victims.
Senior Fire Officer II Saredah Mohd Salleh, 42, is one such "heroine'.
She made history by being named the best trainee in the JBPM Storm Basic Training Course Series 1/2024, proving that neither age nor gender is a barrier to joining one of JBPM's most elite units.
"My main motivation for joining Storm is that this unit is often involved in major operations both locally and abroad. I want to gain new experiences. The tests (during the training course) were extremely tough, including carrying loads of up to 70 kilogrammes while walking,' she told Bernama recently.
The mother of two with 14 years of experience in firefighting said female members of Storm do not receive any special treatment. Senior Fire Officer II Saredah Mohd Salleh (left) and Fire Officer Nik Izzahtiey Nik Soh, who is also a member of the Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (Storm) under the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM), pose for a photo in front of a fire engine on display at the Presint 7 Fire and Rescue Station, here recently. Photo by Bernama
They are required to undergo the same rigorous and demanding fitness tests as their male counterparts.
"All members must pass the Individual Physical Proficiency Test set by JBPM to determine physical and mental capabilities. All candidates, regardless of gender, are assessed according to the same standards,' she added.
Fully aware of the heavy responsibilities that come with the role, Saredah said she must constantly maintain peak physical fitness and stamina, even beyond the requirements of a regular firefighter.
"Even after work, I still go jogging at night to keep my stamina up because we can be deployed to disaster sites at any moment. In Storm, there's no room for complacency,' said Saredah, who was involved in the 2022 Batang Kali landslide rescue operation.
For Fire Officer Nik Izzahtiey Nik Soh, 24, one of the youngest women in Storm, her involvement in several major operations, including a building collapse in Penang and a landslide in Cameron Highlands, is clear proof that her abilities should not be underestimated.
Nik Izzahtiey, who joined Storm in 2023, also said the male members in the unit have never belittled the capabilities of their female colleagues. Instead, they work together, support one another and uphold a strong spirit of teamwork.
"When we're on duty, we are all members of an elite unit within JBPM, working as one team,' she added.
Meanwhile, JBPM Rescue Team Management Branch head Ismail Abdul Ghani said currently, 10 out of 655 Storm personnel are women, a figure that underscores their ability to match male firefighters in facing the extreme challenges of rescue missions.
"Being selected for Storm is no easy feat. Many apply, but not all make the cut. These 10 women are the 'heroines' of Storm... they are special,' he said.
He also encouraged more JBPM personnel to consider joining Storm, noting that the unit not only offers new experiences in firefighting but also opens the door to participating in large-scale operations abroad.
"Joining Storm presents some of the best career opportunities in the department, including international missions. But it comes with intense training and high expectations,' he added. - BERNAMA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Malaysia fire department prepares for nuclear power plant safety
KUCHING: The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) is prepared to upgrade its personnel and equipment to handle potential risks linked to the proposed construction of a nuclear power plant in the country. JBPM Director-General Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad confirmed that the department has already taken proactive steps by training 429 personnel across 17 Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Response Teams nationwide. These teams are equipped to manage radioactive exposure incidents. 'The technology for nuclear plant construction and fire prevention systems is well-developed and adheres to international safety standards. However, the industry must supply monitoring tools like dosimeters and detection devices to nearby fire stations,' he said after officiating the 2024 Fire Service Medal Awards ceremony. Nor Hisham added that reactor safety would depend on the plant's final design and site plan. JBPM will collaborate with other agencies to develop a detailed emergency response strategy. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof recently stated that the government is assessing the feasibility of nuclear power projects in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah to meet rising energy demands. As Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, Fadillah noted that proximity to water sources—such as rivers, seas, or large lakes—is a key factor in the ongoing study for the plant's cooling system. - Bernama
Sinar Daily
3 days ago
- Sinar Daily
Meet the ‘heroines' of Storm – JBPM's most elite rescue force
Known for handling high-risk missions, Storm comprises only highly skilled firefighters who are always on standby to be deployed for large-scale rescue operations. 03 Aug 2025 01:03pm Members of the Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (Storm) under the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) perform a demonstration at the Presint 7 Fire and Rescue Station in Putrajaya, recently. Photo by Bernama PUTRAJAYA - Rescue operations in Malaysia have always been the domain of men, but these days women are also joining the elite Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (Storm) under the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM). Known for handling high-risk missions, Storm comprises only highly skilled firefighters who are always on standby to be deployed for large-scale rescue operations. However, the presence of women in this elite unit has brought a new dimension, especially during missions involving women and child victims. Senior Fire Officer II Saredah Mohd Salleh, 42, is one such "heroine'. She made history by being named the best trainee in the JBPM Storm Basic Training Course Series 1/2024, proving that neither age nor gender is a barrier to joining one of JBPM's most elite units. "My main motivation for joining Storm is that this unit is often involved in major operations both locally and abroad. I want to gain new experiences. The tests (during the training course) were extremely tough, including carrying loads of up to 70 kilogrammes while walking,' she told Bernama recently. The mother of two with 14 years of experience in firefighting said female members of Storm do not receive any special treatment. Senior Fire Officer II Saredah Mohd Salleh (left) and Fire Officer Nik Izzahtiey Nik Soh, who is also a member of the Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (Storm) under the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM), pose for a photo in front of a fire engine on display at the Presint 7 Fire and Rescue Station, here recently. Photo by Bernama They are required to undergo the same rigorous and demanding fitness tests as their male counterparts. "All members must pass the Individual Physical Proficiency Test set by JBPM to determine physical and mental capabilities. All candidates, regardless of gender, are assessed according to the same standards,' she added. Fully aware of the heavy responsibilities that come with the role, Saredah said she must constantly maintain peak physical fitness and stamina, even beyond the requirements of a regular firefighter. "Even after work, I still go jogging at night to keep my stamina up because we can be deployed to disaster sites at any moment. In Storm, there's no room for complacency,' said Saredah, who was involved in the 2022 Batang Kali landslide rescue operation. For Fire Officer Nik Izzahtiey Nik Soh, 24, one of the youngest women in Storm, her involvement in several major operations, including a building collapse in Penang and a landslide in Cameron Highlands, is clear proof that her abilities should not be underestimated. Nik Izzahtiey, who joined Storm in 2023, also said the male members in the unit have never belittled the capabilities of their female colleagues. Instead, they work together, support one another and uphold a strong spirit of teamwork. "When we're on duty, we are all members of an elite unit within JBPM, working as one team,' she added. Meanwhile, JBPM Rescue Team Management Branch head Ismail Abdul Ghani said currently, 10 out of 655 Storm personnel are women, a figure that underscores their ability to match male firefighters in facing the extreme challenges of rescue missions. "Being selected for Storm is no easy feat. Many apply, but not all make the cut. These 10 women are the 'heroines' of Storm... they are special,' he said. He also encouraged more JBPM personnel to consider joining Storm, noting that the unit not only offers new experiences in firefighting but also opens the door to participating in large-scale operations abroad. "Joining Storm presents some of the best career opportunities in the department, including international missions. But it comes with intense training and high expectations,' he added. - BERNAMA
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Electrical faults cause 60% of house fires in Malaysia, says JBPM
PUTRAJAYA: The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) has revealed that electrical faults account for 60% of residential fires nationwide. Director-General Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad identified outdated wiring, unapproved modifications, and excessive appliance usage as primary risks. 'Many homeowners overlook electrical safety. Frequent circuit trips, old wiring, and high-power devices like air conditioners and water heaters can cause dangerous overloads,' he told Bernama. He warned against bypassing safety mechanisms, such as reconnecting blown fuses, which may lead to severe fires if systems fail during short circuits. Nor Hisham urged property owners to schedule wiring inspections by certified electricians every 10–15 years, particularly for older or newly built homes. 'Early signs like recurring tripped sockets should never be ignored. Immediate professional intervention is crucial,' he added. Cooking-related incidents also rank among the top causes, often due to unattended kitchens or gas leaks. Despite a rise in structural fires in 2023, financial losses dropped to RM1.6 billion from RM2.66 billion in 2022. 'Faster emergency responses and public awareness—including early fire extinguisher use—helped mitigate damages,' he noted. The department advocates for fire extinguishers in all buildings to enable quick action. Nor Hisham cited the Sendai Framework, highlighting that every RM1 spent on prevention saves RM8 in potential losses. The global agreement emphasizes risk awareness, governance, and preparedness to curb disaster impacts from 2015 to 2030. – Bernama
