STORM's women firefighters to be tasked with more challenging operations

MARANG, Sept 17 -- The female firefighters in the Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (STORM) will be tasked with conducting more challenging and large-scale rescue operations, proving that they are capable of standing on par with men.

Wann Iryani Arifin, 30, said that despite the challenging training and tests she underwent to qualify for STORM, her desire is being a more versatile firefighter and rescuer.

“Among the things we had to face (in the tests) were running while carrying a load of rescue equipment weighing about 20 kilogrammes, drill exercises and long jump. Although we are women but we were not given special privileges. The tests we undertook were no different from what male participants were subjected to.

“But I have been interested in doing extreme activities since I was a child. Afterall, I want to participate in challenging rescue operations such as those involving high-rise buildings and so worth. That is why I joined this team,” she said when met at the closing ceremony of the STORM Basic Course Series 1/2020 at the Fire and Rescue Academy in Wakaf Tapai here today.

Wann Iryani, who works at the Operations Centre of the Kedah Fire and Rescue Department headquarters, is one of four women members who completed the STORM course in this series.

Meanwhile, Norazizah Nordin, 24, said that despite initial opposition from her family when she expressed her desire to join the STORM, she was determined to participate in the four-week course.

"It was not only with joining the STORM, but both my parents were also very opposed to me joining the fire brigade a year ago. However, I managed to persuade them and explained my interest in extreme activities.

"During the training, there were times I also felt like giving up because I was just too tired and worried that I would not be able to pass all the tests, but my family members actually gave me a lot of encouragement until I managed to complete the training," said the girl from Inanam, Sabah.

The member of the Jalan Hang Tuah Fire Station, Kuala Lumpur also won the Best Basic Theory award for the STORM Series 1/2020.

Meanwhile, STORM commander Ismail Abdul Ghani said so far the team has six female members and the number will be increased from time to time.

'’The participation of women in STORM is very important especially to save or provide assistance to female victims. However, we do not want to force them to join STORM because the tests that need to be passed are very challenging and the standards given are the same as for the male members.

'’So let them join this team because they are really interested. We can only give encouragement,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ismail said since its inception in 2011 until now, STORM has successfully recruited a total of 524 members.

He said based on the number, he was confident that the target of five per cent participation from a total of 14,000 firefighters nationwide into STORM would be achieved soon.

The closing ceremony of STORM Basic Course Series 1/2020 saw a total of 45 officers and firefighters, from all over Malaysia, successfully completing the course, and the participation plaque was handed out by the Deputy Director General (Development) of the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia, Datuk Soiman Jahid.

-- BERNAMA