The Natural Disaster Research Centre (NDRC) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) reaffirmed its commitment to disaster preparedness by participating in a Table Top Exercise (TTX) and Field Training Exercise (FTX) recently held in Kundasang.
The training focused on landslide disaster management in Sabah and involved collaboration with various government agencies.
According to NDRC Director, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Gs. Dr. Carolyn M. Payus, the event consisted of two main parts: a TTX session discussing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of each agency, followed by an FTX session with full-scale simulations of command structure, operations, and search and rescue (SAR) activities by the involved agencies.
“Simulations like these are crucial as they serve as a platform to strengthen inter-agency operability and cooperation.
“This exercise will enhance mutual understanding and facilitate coordinated action among rescue teams, especially in critical situations like landslides in Sabah,” said Carolyn, who also participated in the training sessions.
Carolyn added that the training, which included 70 participants from various agencies, provided an opportunity for knowledge-sharing and allowed participants to improve their knowledge, experience, and expertise.
“This year, the Ranau district was selected as the operational site due to its vulnerability to disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, and floods.
“Thus, training like this is essential to boost the preparedness of agencies and volunteers in disaster management and to strengthen existing SOPs,” she added.
This integrated training was the result of a strategic collaboration between the Internal Affairs and Research Office, Chief Minister’s Department of Sabah, and the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).
The main agencies involved included the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Ranau District Office, Civil Defence Force (APM), Sabah Fire and Rescue Department, Sabah State Health Department, Sabah Parks, and the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).
Other technical and support agencies that participated in the exercise included the Sabah State Education Department, Sabah Information Department, Department of Mineral and Geoscience Malaysia, Malaysian Meteorological Department, Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia, RELA, Sabah State Welfare Services Department, Sabah State Water Department, Sabah Electricity Sdn. Bhd., and Sapura Secured Technologies.
