By Yeap Ming Liong
Associate Captain, Civil Defence Force of Malaysia
World Civil Defence Day will be celebrated across the globe on the 1st of March. The theme of this year’s celebration is “The role of information technology in risk assessment”. This resonates greatly with the search and rescue work undertaken by the Civil Defence Force of Malaysia, who along with other Malaysian uniformed personnel were on site in the recent earthquake-hit Turkey.
Information technology be it hardware or software will aid greatly to help not only in operational procedures but help minimise losses and injuries to personnel on duty. In the same breath, I urge fellow Malaysians to appreciate the sacrifices of my brothers and sisters in the Malaysian Civil Defence Force.
These officers and personnel do not ask for much; they have always answered the call of duty and are among the first to respond to any emergencies. Their recent involvement in the Batang Kali landslide and Turkey -Syria earthquake tragedies is a testament of their hard work, dedication and commitment to King and Country, and they have placed service above self.
It is regrettable that some individuals do not even know of the existence of the Civil Defence Force despite the fact the force has been in existence for 70 years.
In light of World Civil Defence Day, I call on everyone to appreciate the sacrifices and dedication of not only the Civil Defence Force, but also other uniformed personnel, who have tirelessly given their all.
Don’t take them for granted. They might not be around tomorrow. Each time they go on operations they are battling tooth and nail. They too have families waiting for them at home.
Let us remember and appreciate the sacrifices of all uniformed personnel and frontliners in Malaysia. I would like to take the opportunity to wish all Civil Defence Personnel regardless of rank across the globe, a Happy World Civil Defence Day.
