The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has launched the country's first special ambulance helicopter service called Emergency Medical Air Rescue Services (EMARS). The initiative is an effort to meet the needs of emergency services for all levels of society, especially in rural areas and Orang Asli villages that are difficult to access by land.

The Minister of Local Government Development, Nga Kor Ming says, in addition to ensuring the delivery of services to the grassroots wherever they are, EMARS can save the country at least RM15 million a year. “Currently the Ministry of Health is forced to hire the services of private experts including flying doctors in the interior areas. Each year the estimated expenditure is approximately RM20 million. But now with the services offered by this fire brigade, we only spend RM5 million a year,” he states at the launch ceremony of EMARS and the 2023 Festive Season Safety Campaign.

Also present to complete the ceremony were the Minister of Health, Dr. Zaliha Mustafa and director general of JBPM, Datuk Abdul Wahab Mat Yasin.

The initiative, which is implemented in collaboration with the Malaysian Ministry of Health (KKM) and the Department of Indigenous Affairs (JAKOA) will begin operations on May 1 and also serves to help speed up emergency operations such as the evacuation of road accident victims and organ transplants.

The EMARS Agusta A109E Power helicopters are taken from JBPM's existing assets, modified to be equipped with emergency medical equipment, capable of carrying seven people at a time. For now, says Kor Ming, only one EMARS helicopter will be deployed throughout the Peninsula and the development of the number and coverage area in the future depends on the government's financial situation.

Meanwhile, touching on the 2023 Festive Season Safety Campaign, Kor Ming says that JBPM has expressed its commitment in ensuring safety is not only the responsibility of the authorities but every member of the community. For the Aidilfitri season, only 20 per cent of all members across the country have been given approval for festive holidays while the rest will take turns working in shifts at 334 fire stations across the country.