In year 2006, Republic of Croatia nominated two firemen for training on the Fire and Rescue Academy Malaysia (FRAM). These year FRAM accepted both candidates from Republic Of Croatia, Dario Gauš Assistant Commander in the Rijeka Fire Brigade City and Siniša Jembrih, Fire Officer in the Zagreb Fire Brigade.

Firefighter’s training center presents the hot problem of Croatian Fire Service. Besides individual possibilities of single Fire Brigade, there is no central firefighter’s training center in which would accompany world trends and on whose cognitions periodically would spend continuous theoretical and the practical instruction for member of the firefighting formation.

Firemen are, after they finish school for fireman, let loose to work conditions of the Brigade where they work. Established laws and sub legal acts do not envisage, and what is more important, neither does not oblige the employer on the system so called whole life educations. Existence of the firefighting training center on the states level and setting obligations of the periodic training session would solve this problem, especially keeping in mind that such solution is normal practice around the world.

To such requirement in addition goes also the fact that every segment of man surroundings every day promotes new technologies and new understandings. The only way that fireman can give the quality answer to the situation is daily accompanying world trends and promoting Fire Service consistently with new cognitions.

Therefore, does not wonder trying to use every occasion for the abroad training , which would as aim have the exchange of experiences and acquiring new cognitions on the basis to improve the complete work in firefighting formations of Republic Of Croatia.

More photos are on Flickr web page

First impressions of Malaysia

Experiences of colleagues who have participate training on FRAM during earlier years were confirmed even before departure to Malaysia. First contacts with the personnel from FRAM have already pointed on the readiness of Malaysian firemen that the stay of attendants of training in Malaysia make as comfortable as much is possible.

First “problems” have appeared: Time zone, difference between Croatian and Malaysian time is six hours. Arrival in Kuala Lumpur was in early morning hours, after sleepless nights.

Clime conditions, temperature between 30o and 32oC with high percentage of humidity in the air present the considerable change in respect to Croatian climatic conditions. Nevertheless, the biggest challenge was completely different culture and way of living of inhabitant of Malaysia.

Composed of three constitutive nations, Malay, Chinese and Indians, Malaysia presents the connection of different cultures and customs which are visible already at first sight through the style dressing.

The trip from KL airport to Kuala Kubu Bharu, small town where FRAM is, was specially interesting.Sunday, first day of staying in Malaysia, has been used for sight seeing of Kuala Kubu Bharu, and also what is more important, for climate adaptation.

For the purpose of sight seeing, mountain bikes owned by FRAM have been used. They were on the disposal to Academy attendants. And there was noticed the next problem. Driving on the „wrong“ side of the road. In Malaysia, state that had been England colony and 1957. get the independence, people drives on the left side of the road. Cycling had been overfilled with foolish situation which has luckily finished without any consequence.

Also it is necessary to mentions that the climate adaptation has lasted relatively briefly and also that the Malaysian climate Croatian firemen has assigned as the problem only first two days.

Disappointment that was caused by the survey of small town and the fact that there does not exist more significant and more fun destinations and contents has disappear soon after presentations of contents of training and Academies.

Training has been outlined in a way that has envisaged and would allow the sightseeing of the more significant tourist destinations in surroundings of Kuala Lumpur.

Since arrival to Kuala Lumpur it was impossible not to notice one decorative detail. All vehicles and also large number of the residential and second facilities howls the Malaysian flag. On the question what is this all about, the answer has come “MERDEKA”.

The Malaysian expression for the freedom, it marks Independence Day that in the Malaysia denotes on August 3. Forty nine years after acquiring of independence, in the Malaysia still lasts the euphoria and the joy because of this for them significant date.

Television’s programs have abounded in advertisements and announcements of Independence Day, and citizens on streets and from the vehicle would proudly shout “Merdeka“. Maybe citizens of World could learn something from the Malaysian example.

Week 1

Monday, August 21 the input test has been kept which was supposed to show the level of knowledge of attendants before course start. Working firefighter’s uniforms of Malaysian firemen can also be compared with the army.

The camouflage uniform in the combination with the movement in the line, always during class, for Croatian conditions, really can be compared to the army.
The training has started. Start of training was about working with compression firefighting hoses and getting know the conception of the Malaysian attack firefighting vehicle.

Unlike the larger part of Europe, Malaysian firemen are using so-called fast connection for hose connecting, and the hoses are singly rolls. Type of hoses Malaysian firefighters are using are well known to Croatian firemen.

Angus hoses are in wide application also in Croatia. If it is possible on this point give comparison with STORZ connection and the way of work, it is able to say that STORZ does not leave any possibility of mistake since there is no male and female’s part of connection, and more simply and more easily is also stretching the hose.

Otherwise, word is about the combination of the attack and the technical equipment vehicle concept that is well known in Croatia. Vehicle manufacturer is Godiva on Scania chassis. There is need to say that Malaysian firemen use ZUMRO RESQTEC hydraulic tools. Word is about quality tools of company that only tries to break through onto the Croatia space.

Impulse technology that is present in Croatia, but has not been spread is also part of Malaysian firefighting. The afternoon part of first day of training has included the work with the impulse firefighting gun. Although it is known to Croatian representatives, there had been the course-attendee who met the impulse technology for the first time.

The IFEX Impulse Gun is designed as a highly versatile tool for fire brigades and rescue teams everywhere in the world. With only small amounts of water, these fire fighting tools have the capacity of extinguishing even large fires. The high shot velocity of more than 400 km/h and the large cooling surface provide high fire stopping power from a distance.

With foam additive, liquid oil fires can be fought. Using only fresh water, fires in live high voltage electrical equipment can be extinguished. As a man-based system for the firefighter’s self-sufficient operation, the IFEX impulse gun is used in combination with backpacks or trolleys as independent supply units: the perfect team for fast attack and quick fire knockdown.

Video presentations of Malaysian firefighting, which has been presented in the evening hours of the first day was also very interesting. Emphasis has been put on forest fires that in Malaysia represent the large problem considering the fact that mostly there is a word about underground fires.

Characteristic of such fires is large affected aria and depths, even to six meters. Interesting are also solutions which are in use by Malaysian firemen, and in respect to the fact that the tactics of fire extinguishing that is adequate for Croatian conditions is not usable in their conditions.

From aircrafts, usable is only helicopter, just for the transport of manpower and equipment. Because of the nature of fire, dense and high forests as well as the distances of waters appropriate for the landing Canadair is not usable. Therefore Malaysian firemen do not have at disposal not even one plane of this kind.

Particularly interesting is fetching the water to the fire place. The relay fetching of water on the distance even to a few kilometers is inevitable, and the water supplies are put for this purpose dug out canal, so the construction mechanization is unavoidable piece of such fire extinguish actions.

There was an opening ceremony on the second day of training. Although a bit unusually that the opening ceremony was after the training has already started, Croatian representatives were pleasantly surprised with importance that organizer has added to every training attendant.

Training was opened by the Assistant Commander Khirudin Bin Drahman Hussaini, and every attendant of training has been presented particularly together with the homeland flag.

Opening ceremony was finished with occasional party with Malaysian specialties. At the first meal in the Malaysia it was clear that hosts prefer, for Croatian habits, too spicy food. However, as well as the rest, this problem has also been prevailed without larger difficulties.

There were two to three daily menus at the disposal, and usually consisting of the chicken, beef and fish. Very surprising was the large number of meals as well as different kinds of food for each, particular time of a day, food was adjusted to everybody.

For example while Croatian and Australian (from New South Wales Rural Fire Service) attendants of training chose toast with margarine and marmalade for the breakfast, majority of others attendants chose rice with meat and sauce. Meal that essentially is not different from food for lunch or diner.

Also under the concept of supper in the Malaysia is included the late supper, around 22:00 o’clock, while the time for supper is 20:00 o’clock. To be truthful, course organizers have warned attendants of training that they will have few kilos more when they return home.

The rest of the lecture and exercises that have been anticipated for the first week training started. Immediately after the opening ceremony finished there was lecture about the planning of fire protection. We were pleasantly surprised with kindness and readiness of the Malaysian lecturers to share their materials with course-attendees even at first lectures.

The class was from 08:30 to 10:30 o’clock in morning hours and then from 11:00 to 13:00 o’clock after 30 minute of pause. After pause for lunch, final lecture or exercises is given from 14:30 to 16:30 o’clock.

In the afternoon time slot of the second day, course has been continued with the exercise of orientation in the space with the limited visibility beside the usage of BA apparatus. Exercises was performed in Dragger’s “cage”, and attendants of training have performed exercise without larger difficulties.

The organizer’s wish that the attendants should better know each other resulted with obligation of presenting each attendant and each country. “Country report“ was performed in evening hours immediately after the supper. Croatia was presented in very interesting way by Siniša Jembrih, who wore outfit of Croatia soccer representation.

images.jpg

That Croatian soccer player are well known on these spaces had been clear since arrival, hosts as well as some of others course-attendee knew well even the names some of the Croatian footballers.

The other lecture and exercises started during the next following days. Building construction in aspect of fire, incident command system, standard for fire cover are theoretical lectures through which Malaysian aspiration for development is extend.

And yet, the development is the aim. Final deadline that Malaysian government has set up to transfer from developing country to developed is year 2020. In this sense Malaysia carries out so called five-year plans. Although, they are irresistibly reminding on some other times and system, Malaysia at the moment carries out 1 of several five-year plan.

For the fire department 19-th plan means 500.000.000, 00 the USD through five years. This means are foreseen only for the equipping, development and the maintenance while the means for the salary 12.000 Malaysian professional firemen come particularly.

Through mentioned lectures it has become known that the Malaysian Fire Department is encumbered for preventive, firefighting, but also for the investigation. The large emphasis is put on the fireman. Understanding that the equipment without trained fireman represents the dead capital, in Malaysia is present long ago.

The drilling part of training center has been built simply, but functionally. Industrial plant gives the possibility of implementations of exercises with inflammable liquids and gases. Also gives the possibility of variation, implementations of exercises on higher level and with fire from more points.

The container part has been built according to guidelines, and licenses of Swedish Räddnings Verket (Swedish Rescue Services Agency). The ship simulator has been built in the cooperation with Australians, and enables drilling fire extinguishing of engine room as well as the cabin part.

During the first week exercise of searching the space in smoky house and exercise of pulling out the injured person from restrained space were performed as well as sewer, hauling & confined space exercise. Polygon for this exercise have been composed from drainpipes, and related with exercise tower. In this way it was enable to drill rescuing victims vertical and horizontal where each of variants has special demand.

HAZMAT operation exercises put the accent on the decontamination and regular procedures during implementation of decontamination as aim. These procedures include the decontamination personal and collective protective equipments, tool, but also victims.

On Wednesday, August 23, 2006 the time for the first, so much expected excursion has come. Genting Higland is favorite tourist destination, overfilled with hotels. Because of the mountain where it is placed, there are two ways of access, first one by using road transportation and second ropeway with gondolas.

This second way of access will remind the Croatian representatives on their favorite Ski destination, Kronplatz - Italy. But, in fact, Genting Highland is huge shopping center, with amusement park which reminds us to Gardaland also in Italy.

And slowly we become aware of one of the favorite way of amusement in Malaysia - visiting shopping centers. Reason for that probably lies in climate, high temperatures and the high percentage of humidity in the air while at the same time shopping centers are too much air-conditioned.

These centers really have it all, from the food over the footwear and clothes, techniques up to places for the family lunch or the supper. Otherwise, organizer warned attendants about cold on the mountain and the need for warmer clothes.

However, temperature of 20oC has not been the problem for Croatian representatives, while at the same time some of the hosts had put on the jackets.
Visit to Kuala Lumpur at Friday has included visit to the Ever Safe - factory of apparatus and systems for fire extinguishing and automatically fire report on the periphery of Kuala Lumpur.

It was interesting to see whole process of fire extinguisher making in the Malaysia, and also the complete factory working program has been presented. The famous Petronas towers, until recently the highest buildings on the world, also have been subject of the visit.

Besides surveys, hosts have been made presentations about the construction of towers and also about the fire-prevention safety. Particularly excitingly has been to climb on so called the Sky Bridge, bridge which connects two towers, and it is placed on the height of 41-th floor while his second level is on the height of 42-th floor. These two destinations had been the start of weekend in the Kuala Lumpur, and staying at the hotel Mines Resorts on lakes shore on the periphery of town.

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia, and in town on the every step it is possible to notice galloping development through huge facilities under construction. Sightseeing of town has been left to attendance to do it by our selves, and for that purpose it has been used almost all kinds of public transportation including Taxi and so called Mono Rail train. On Sunday in evening hours the time has come for returning to Kuala Kubu Bharu and for preparing for the second week of training.

Week 2.Second week started with lecture about “High rise fire fighting lecture“. After comparing different definitions about what high rise fire is (in different countries) we have learned that there are 3 different approaches to deal with high rise fire: actions before, during and after the incident involving high rise fire.

Before incident prevention in form of prebuilding fire prevention measures and public awareness (drills and evacuation exercises) has to be done. Fires in high-rise buildings everywhere have the potential to be one of the most challenging incidents to which we respond.

The potential for loss of life is high. Fires can burn for extended periods of time before operations can begin. This lecture discusses then strategies, tactics and dangers for fighting high rise fires in Malaysia and other countries: venting, hoseline placement, standpipe operations, use of master streams, elevator dangers, smoke movement, fire spread, collapse.

After the incident (and after fire investigation) the most importing thing is to review internal policies to try to avoid a repeat of the crisis situation. In case of some tactical approaches error revision of standard operational procedure is possible and needed.

Building fire fighting equipment lecture was concentrated on different aspects of fire equipment needed for successfully protect life and property-Building safety and life safety fire fighting equipment.

Fire fighting equipment is pretty much same like in other parts of the world but in training facility in Fire & Rescue academy in Kuala Kubu Bharu we had a chance to try some of the modern fire fighting equipment thru different types of exercises.

One of the most challenging practical exercise was the oil spill fire exercise. Goal of this exercise was not to put out the fire but to learn how to work with nozzle to protect yourself and your colleagues and to securely come close to the fire allowing in that way eventually closing the valve.

Four group with 3-4 firefighters are being formed, 2 groups are “attack” groups and two groups are for protecting and ”cleaning” the way for attack group.

One of the most clever things that we are going to use in our praxis is approach and walking of one group. All firefighters in one group are to walk together because if they are not synchronized stream of water is not stabile and will allow fire to penetrate thru to firefighters.

Also shape of all four groups when approaching to fire is important-we are begging wit “U” shape and ending with “V” shape of formation (with attack groups” in front. Use of personal protective equipment is of course essential.

Offensive indoor firefighting practical exercise was for us most interesting because we are trying to implement this kind of tactical approach to our fire service. Invisible gases produced in a fire can be much more dangerous than any flame.

Especially in enclosed spaces, these gases tend to become superheated, flammable, and highly mobile. The result: backdrafts, flashovers, and gas explosions - the three main varieties of so-called extreme fire behavior.

Every year, many firefighters around the world die and end up being injured because they’ve not been trained to deal with this events. We are here being trained to open the door briefly to minimize the flow of oxygen into the hall, then spray a burst of fog to cool gases and prevent flashover, backdraft, or explosion.

This kind of approach, originally developed in Sweden where they started using a steel container system to teach firefighters about the signs of flashover, but also nozzle techniques. Flashover occurs when heat generated by a fire can no longer be absorbed by ceilings, walls, and room contents. Heat begins to radiate back toward the room, raising the temperature of unburned gases, room contents, walls and flooring.

At approximately 750 degrees the entire room ignites creating an inferno. Firefighters wear protective clothing to protect themselves. However, a flashover creates such extreme temperatures that turn-out gear cannot provide adequate protection.

A firefighter trapped in a flashover has only 2 seconds to escape the harsh conditions before being overcome. This represents only few meters of movement once the flashover occurs. Training is this facilities is a must for every firefighters.

Training was conducted by very capable instructor F.O. III Zahinor under supervision of his last years trainer battalion chief Ed Hartin from USA.
Rappelling and ascending training involves personal safety, equipment care and usage, basic knot tying, simple anchoring systems for rappel operations, harnesses rappel and ascend techniques. For descending we have been using rescue eight descending device and for ascending prusik knots.

Descending and rappelling are being used for self rescue of firefighters, access to victims and rescue of victims in vertical and confined spaces.

Liquefied petroleum gas practical exercise was held on impressive two storey training facility in Fire & Rescue Academy using real LPG gas and burning in a controlled manner.

Tactical attack is similar like in Oil spill fire exercise: 2 attack groups and two security (cleaning groups + group chief. Communication between groups and chief is essential for achieving goal of exercise: close the gas valve. The LPG fire need to be extinguished - but not by the water.

Extinguishing the fire in this way will create another hazard. If the gas were to escape unburned, it could be more dangerous. Any spark later on can ignite the gas and cause a bigger fire, possibly causing a tremendous rush of expanding gases.

So the hose team have to try to approach the fire in order to close the
gas valve. That will stop the fire and the escaping gas. There were sufficient people to operate 3 hose teams. While one team approach the flaming area with a water-wall spray, another two teams directed the water to the top of the LPG tanks with water jet for cooling.

Fire prevention legislation lecture: Requirements for fire prevention in Malaysia are the subject of a wide range of legislation and regulation, although one main statutes currently in force are the Fire Service Act 1988.

Developing of Pre-Fire emergency reference material, some of which may be located on-site and available to the Fire Department during a emergency is important.

Building floor plans with all information, emergency contacts, and material inventories, can be very helpful in reducing damage and disruption. Developing, scheduling, compiling and off course reviewing a pre-fire safety plan is one part of fire prevention legislation.

Malaysian Fire & Rescue department is using Russian MI-17 helicopters. This helicopter is based on in our country known MI-8 helicopter. Unlikely Croatia where helicopters are under police and army Air unit in Malaysia is directly under Fire & Rescue department which offers much better organization of air rescue work.

Technical characteristics of this helicopter are: crew of tree, 32 people or 4000 kg of cargo, maximum speed is 250 km/h range is 950 km, service ceiling: 6,000 meters. Also on board this helicopter there were members of Multiskill team unit which demonstrated rappelling and rescue techniques.

Closing ceremony was held with presence of former Fire & Rescue director Datuk DR Soh Chai Hock, senior officers from Fire & Rescue department Malaysia, Fire & Rescue Academy Kuala Kubu Bharu, officers on Compartment fire behavior training course, instructors on Compartment fire behavior training Paul Grimwood and Ed Hartin certificates were presented to participants of International structure firefighting course 2006.

Very meaningful and truly inspiring speech from Mr. Datuk DR Soh Chai Hock put an emphasis on knowledge and importance of learning in modern world with accent on fire fighting.

Conclusion

Since we both have been in different countries (France, Germany, United states of America, Austria, Hungary…) observing and training Fire & Rescue operations, we can without problems state that Fire & Rescue department Malaysia is on way to become one of the best Fire & Rescue departments in world.

Level of professionalism, enthusiasm and knowledge is to be recommended. Also using modern equipment in every part of Fire & Rescue operations, main strength of this department are very capable people.

Investment in training firefighters and fire officers abroad and implementing learned knowledge in department is probably best way to improve further. We personally will try to present this kind of thinking in our country in hope that we can become better organized in Fire & Rescue operations.

Course objective stated “At the end of the course participants will be able to gain knowledge and acquire skills in the fire fighting operational techniques and strategy related with structural fire fighting concept.

Acquire safety precaution measures from different angles such as enforcement, public awareness in fire safety and fire safety engineering approaches” and it is in our opinion fulfilled.

Complete organization of course was impeccepable-accomodation, food, study visit, practical exercises and lectures were excellent. From our side we can only regret that we did not had chance to train little bit more on practical exercises because we don’t have such good training facilities in Croatia.

Coincidence that in same time in Fire & Rescue Academy Kuala Kubu Bharu was held Compartment fire behavior training course for members of Fire & Rescue department Malaysia had been also great learning opportunity for us. To talk and work a little with such renewed world famous instructors and dear friends like Shan Raffel from Australia, Ed Hartin United states of America and of course Paul Grimwood from England will contribute to our further professional development.

In Croatia, 16. September 2006
Text and photos:
Siniša Jembrih, dipl. ing.-Zagreb fire department, Croatia
M.Sc. Dario Gauš,-Rijeka fire department, Croatia

Terima Kasih, Malaysia

Written by Sinisa Jembrih on October 31st, 2006 at 6:43 pm.