The Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (, ''Jawi'': ڤاسوكن منچاري دان مڽلامت خاص مليسيا) or internationally known as SMART, is a disaster relief and

rescue Rescue comprises responsive operations that usually involve the saving of life, or the urgent treatment of injuries after an accident or a dangerous situation. Tools used might include search and rescue dogs, mounted search and rescue ...

task force established under the National Security Council based on the approval of the Cabinet on 18 May 1994. The SMART task force is a

United Nations The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmoniz ...

INSARAG The International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) is a network of disaster-prone and disaster-responding countries and organizations dedicated to urban search and rescue (USAR) and operational field coordination. It aims to establish s ...

certified Heavy USAR (Urban Search and Rescue team) in June 2016. The team draws its members from the Malaysian Armed Forces,

Royal Malaysian Police The Royal Malaysia Police (often abbreviated RMP) ( ms, Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM)), is a (primarily) uniformed national and federal police force in Malaysia. The force is a centralised organisation. Its headquarters are located at Bukit Ama ...

and

Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia ( ms, Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM), ''Jawi script, Jawi'': جابتن بومبا دان ڤڽلامت مليسيا), commonly known as Bomba, is a federal agency of Malaysia responsible for ...

History

Malaysia has been through three major disasters since 1988 which is Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal bridge collapse in the year 1988,

Bright Sparklers Fireworks disaster The Bright Sparklers Fireworks fire occurred in Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia on 7 May 1991. The Bright Sparklers Fireworks factory in Sungai Buloh, Selangor caught fire and caused a huge explosion. Twenty six people were killed and over a h ...

in 1991 and Klang Port Chong Hong 3 Tanker Explosion in 1992. The pinnacle of disaster in Malaysia happens in the year 1993 when the

Highland Towers collapse The Highland Towers collapse occurred on 11 December 1993 in Taman Hillview, Ulu Klang, Selangor, Malaysia. Tower Block 1 collapsed from a major landslide caused by heavy rains that burst diversion pipes. The Highland Towers consisted of three ...

in Ulu Klang, outskirt of Kuala Lumpur. The tragedy came to world attention in which five countries sent aid workers to help. They are from the

USA The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

Great Britain Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of continental Europe. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the largest European island and the ninth-largest island in the world. It i ...

, Détachement d'intervention catastrophes aéromobile (DICA) from France, Japan Disaster Relief Team (JDRT) from Japan and

Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team The Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) is the elite unit of the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) that specialises in complex incidents such as technical rescue, urban search and rescue, Search and rescue, water rescue operations and pr ...

(DART) from Singapore. The JDRT lead by Kiyoshi Shidara then donates their sophisticated equipment to Malaysia. Following the collapse of the Highland Towers tragedy on 11 December 1993, Malaysia intends to establish a disaster rescue team based on the Japanese JDRT. The Cabinet Committee then convened on 18 May 1994 approved the establishment of the SMART team under the management of the National Security Council. The SMART will draw its members from three government departments which are

(FRDM),

(RMP) and the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF). On 1 August 1996, the SMART finally established with a strength of 85 personnel including officers. SMART is put under the National Security Council. On 1 January 2004, SMART is expanded to 104 personnel. On 1 June 2009, SMART moving to new SMART Headquarter in

Pulau Meranti Pulau Meranti is a village in Sepang District, Selangor, Malaysia. History It has an area estimated at about more than 100 hectares, explored and founded by a Dato' Gede Biro Bin Jenangkin ('Gede' meaning big in Javanese language, Javanese and 'B ...

Puchong Puchong is a major town and a parliamentary constituency in Petaling District, Selangor, Malaysia. It is bordered by Subang Jaya in the north, Sepang and Putrajaya in the south, Serdang in the east and Putra Heights in the west. History ...

. On 1 June 2014, SMART is expanding again to 141 personnel and their salary grade was standardised. In May 2015, SMART planning to apply for INSARAG certification. On 5 June 2016, SMART gets INSARAG certification. With this certification, SMART is the second Disaster Relief team to be certified in Southeast Asia after the Singaporean Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team. On 11 April 2019, the SMART was chosen to become a mentor to the Brunei rescue team. SMART will assist the team until they get their INSARAG certification.

Functions

Under ''National Security Council Directive No.19'' and ''Directive No.20'', there are four main functions of SMART outlined by the Malaysian Government: # Act to perform search and rescue duties which the task is beyond the capabilities of existing rescue agencies. # Conduct search and rescue operations which require high expertise and sophisticated equipment. # Responsible in the event which is expected to be a major disaster and involving many victims. # Act to help in overseas disasters when directed to do so by the

Prime Minister A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister i ...

Identity

Dark Blue Beret :All SMART members wear a navy blue beret. Red Helmet :SMART team wear the same red helmet worn by FRDM Special Forces. Blue Uniform :All SMART members wear a blue uniform to differentiate them from other rescue teams. Logo :Four white water drop shapes ::Symbolises the four roles of SMART which are: ::* Search ::* Rescue ::* Assist rescue efforts ::* Provide rescue assistance overseas :Four yellow coloured sharp shapes ::Represent four types of disastrous threats: ::* Land ::* Sea ::* Air ::* Disaster at overseas :Four red coloured round shape ::Symbolises the four key capabilities of SMART: ::* Moving fast ::* Always ready ::* Move within 24 hours to help either local or overseas ::* Special expertise in technical assistance :Center of the target shape ::Symbolising always in a state ready to be moved within 24 hours notice. :Upward pointing arrow shape ::Symbolises the power or effort toward the success of the rescue or describe the hardships to produce something of a pleasure. :Hand with thumb up shape ::Symbolises the process of handling or lifting something out. Used to reveal: ::* Help ::* Ability ::* Efficiency ::* Success ::* Good deed ::* Brilliance ::* Power/skills :Yellow, red, white and blue colours ::Colours on the flag of Malaysia

Selections and training

SMART only opens its membership to personnel from the

and

Malaysian Army The Malaysian Army ( ms, Tentera Darat Malaysia; Jawi: تنترا دارت مليسيا) is the land component of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Steeped in British Army traditions, the Malaysian Army does not carry the title ‘royal’ () as do t ...

. SMART always train together with other government agency and department. They even conduct training for private sectors and educational institutions. SMART enjoys good relations with the Singaporean

(DART) and they always train together.

At the original department

The application for the SMART can only be applied by personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia, Royal Malaysia Police and Malaysian Army from their respective bases/HQ. # Priority shall be given to candidates who are really interested from respectively department or agency's announcement. # Physically and mentally healthy, and passed a medical examination from the government or military hospital. # Have a good track record and is certified free of disciplinary action.

SMART Stage

All selected candidates into the SMART Stage will be a test based on: Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) :Candidates will undergo series of circuit consist of sit up, pulls up, standing board jump, 4 x shuttle run and , and run. Phobia of height test : platform diving, swimming freestyle and five minutes float conducted at

PULAPOL The Malaysian Police Training Centre ( ms, Pusat Latihan Polis, Pulapol) is the oldest police academy in Malaysia and the training institute for Royal Malaysia Police. It is located at Semarak Street (formerly Henry Gurney Street), Kuala Lum ...

, Semarak Street, Kuala Lumpur. Phobia of blood and corpses test :The test will be assessed by the

Kuala Lumpur Hospital Kuala Lumpur Hospital ( ms, Hospital Besar Kuala Lumpur, abbr: ''HKL'') is a Malaysian government-owned public hospital in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. Founded in 1870, HKL is a not-for-profit institution and serves as the flagshi ...

Forensic Unit. Phobia of dark and confined space test :The test session will be done in '''Smoke Gallery at Fire and Rescue Academy of Malaysia (FRAM),

Kuala Kubu Bharu Kuala Kubu Bharu (also spelt Kuala Kubu Baru, Kuala Kubu Bahru or Kuala Kubu Baharu; abbreviated to KKB), is the district capital of Hulu Selangor District, Selangor, Malaysia. It is located 60 km north of Kuala Lumpur. In 1883, the Sung ...

, Selangor. Final interview :Candidates will be interviewed by the board of interviewer consist of T/SUM, BPB, BKP and Commander of SMART.

Basic Course

SMART Special Course (11 Weeks)

This arduous course lasts for 11 weeks. In this course, trainees will be trained hard at any time. Among the module that's been taught during the course is;

Medical Medicine is the science and practice of caring for a patient, managing the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, treatment, palliation of their injury or disease, and promoting their health. Medicine encompasses a variety of health care practic ...

Urban search and rescue Urban search and rescue (abbreviated as USAR or US&R) is a type of technical rescue operation that involves the location, extrication, and initial medical stabilization of victims trapped in an urban area, namely structural collapse due to natu ...

(USAR), Road Traffic Accident (RTA), High Angle & Rope rescue,

HAZMAT Dangerous goods, abbreviated DG, are substances that when transported are a risk to health, safety, property or the environment. Certain dangerous goods that pose risks even when not being transported are known as hazardous materials ( syllabi ...

and many more. Also, the trainees are required to undergo physical training every day as well as individual and team tests such as obstacle courses and endurance circuit. IPPT is also conducted every Friday throughout the course and the final test; trainers will be tested with casualty evacuation through hilly terrain around Kuala Kubu Bharu.

Bronze Medallion Rescue Course (3 Weeks)

This is a three-week military style water rescue course organised by SMART in cooperation with the Life Saving Society Malaysia (). This course is a must for the SMART and Malaysian Lifeguard members. In the final examination, trainees need to pass a few tests in order to get the Bronze Medallion Certificate: # swimming and Chin-tow circuit. # swimming and Rope-towing circuit. # rope throwing. # fully clothes Cross-chest towing. # Combine rescue.

= International Life Saver Certificate

= International Life Saver (ILS) is an international certificate for water rescue. Bronze Medallion Rescue Course trainee needs to take three more tests to get ILS certificate. The three tests are: # swimming under 1 minute and 40 seconds. # swimming under 9 minutes. # diving underwater under one breath.

First Responder Life Support (FRLS) Course

FRLS Course is a two-level paramedic management course and usually organised at Malaysian Civil Defense Force Academy (ALPHA). At level 1, trainees will learn basic paramedic techniques and skills. At level 2, trainees will learn how to differentiate trauma patients from other patients and how to treat them.

Advance Course

CBRN Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence (CBRN defence) are protective measures taken in situations in which chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear warfare (including terrorism) hazards may be present. CBRN defence consi ...

* Abseiling / Rappelling * Underwater Rescue * Landslide,

Tunnel A tunnel is an underground passageway, dug through surrounding soil, earth or rock, and enclosed except for the entrance and exit, commonly at each end. A pipeline is not a tunnel, though some recent tunnels have used immersed tube cons ...

and

Trench A trench is a type of excavation or in the ground that is generally deeper than it is wide (as opposed to a wider gully, or ditch), and narrow compared with its length (as opposed to a simple hole or pit). In geology, trenches result from ero ...

Rescue *

Cave A cave or cavern is a natural void in the ground, specifically a space large enough for a human to enter. Caves often form by the weathering of rock and often extend deep underground. The word ''cave'' can refer to smaller openings such as sea ...

Rescue * Net Rescue * Cable Car Rescue * Driving Technique Course

Missions

Among the missions that have participated, including: * 1996: Search and Rescue operation for Genting Highland bus accidents, Pahang. * 1996: Search and Rescue mission for Greg Storm in Keningau, Sabah. * 1997: Rescue and firefighting mission for Indonesian forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia. * 1999: Search and Rescue operation for İzmit Earthquake disaster in Golchuk, Turkey. * 2001: Search and Rescue operation at Mount Kinabalu, Sabah. * 2001: Search and Rescue mission for Gujerat Earthquake disaster in Gujerat, India. * 2002: Search and Rescue mission for Simunjan landslide incident in Simunjan, Sarawak. * 2002: Search and Rescue mission for Taman Hillview landslide incident in June 2002 in Ulu Klang, Selangor. This incident happens near to Highland Tower. * 2003: Search and Rescue mission for The Curve building collapse in Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. * 2004: Search and Rescue mission for Taman Harmoni landslide in Gombak, Selangor. * 2004: Search and Rescue mission for Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami disaster in Acheh, Indonesia. * 2005: Search and Rescue operation for Nias–Simeulue earthquake disaster in Nias, Indonesia. * 2005: Search and Rescue mission for

Kashmir earthquake The 2005 Kashmir earthquake occurred at on 8 October in Pakistani-administered Azad Kashmir. It was centred near the city of Muzaffarabad, and also affected nearby Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and some areas of Indian-administered Jammu an ...

disaster in Balakot, Pakistan. * 2005: Rescue and firefighting mission for Riau forest fire in Riau, Indonesia. * 2006: Search and Rescue mission for Kampung Pasir landslide in Ulu Klang, Selangor. This incident happens not too far from Highland Tower. * 2006: Search and Rescue operation for Southern Leyte mudslide disaster in Leyte, Philippines. * 2006: Search and Rescue operation for Yogyakarta earthquake disaster in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. * 2007: Rescue mission for Johor flood victims. * 2008: Search and Rescue mission for Ulu Yam landslide in Ulu Yam, Selangor. * 2008: Search and Rescue mission for Bukit Antarabangsa landslide incident in Ulu Klang, Selangor. This incident happens not far from Highland Tower. * 2009: Search and Rescue mission for cave collapse at Ipoh Cave Temples in Ipoh, Perak. * 2009: Search and Rescue operation for building collapse in Section 14, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. * 2009: Search and Rescue operation for Sumatra earthquakes disaster in Padang, Indonesia. * 2011: Search and Rescue operation for Tohoku earthquakes disaster in Japan. * 2013: Search and Rescue operation for Genting Highland bus accidents, Pahang. * 2013: Search and Rescue operation for

Typhoon Haiyan Typhoon Haiyan, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Yolanda, was one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded. On making landfall, Haiyan devastated portions of Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines. It is one of the ...

disaster in Leyte, Philippines. * 2014: Search and Rescue operation for

Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17/MAS17) was a scheduled passenger flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur that was shot down by Russian forces on 17 July 2014, while flying over eastern Ukraine. All 283 passengers and 15 crew were killed. Cont ...

incident in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. * 2015: Search and Rescue mission for Nepal earthquake disaster in Nepal. * 2015: Search and Rescue mission for Sabah earthquake disaster in Ranau, Sabah. * 2016: Search and Rescue operation for Taman Idaman landslide incident in Serendah, Selangor * 2016: Search and Rescue operation for KL Eco City flyover collapse in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. *2019: Cleaning Kim Kim River toxic pollution in Pasir Gudang, Johor. *2022: Search and Rescue operation for Father's Organic Farm camping site landslide in Batang Kali, Selangor (near Genting Highland, Pahang).

References

{{authority control Federal ministries, departments and agencies of Malaysia Disaster management