Last week marked a significant milestone in my career when I was invited to participate in the prestigious INTERSEC Dubai 2025, held from January 14 to 16 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
This premier international event brought together global experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and emergency service professionals to discuss the evolving challenges and opportunities in fire safety, emergency response, and disaster management.
It served as a platform for knowledge-sharing and collaboration, and for Bomba Malaysia, it was an honour to contribute to this global discourse.
This year’s event was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Mohammad Rashid Al Maktoum and supported by key government agencies such as Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defence, and the UAE Cyber Security Council.
Marking its 25th year, INTERSEC has solidified its reputation as a leading conference and exhibition for security, safety, and emergency services.
One of the critical topics addressed during the conference was the impact of climate change on fire behaviour.
I had the privilege of being a panellist for the discussion, where I shared my views on this urgent issue.
Climate change has undeniably altered fire behaviour globally, with its effects felt across continents.
In Malaysia, the impacts are increasingly evident, with the country facing natural disasters such as landslides, haze, prolonged droughts, and monsoon floods.
These environmental changes, once rare, are becoming more frequent and intense, posing substantial risks to lives, infrastructure, and the economy.
The shifting climate patterns in Malaysia highlight the urgent need for robust disaster risk management strategies.
As a nation with significant exposure to climate-related risks, we must adopt measures to mitigate these impacts effectively.
International cooperation is equally crucial—sharing data, experiences, and solutions can help reduce vulnerabilities and foster resilience globally.
At INTERSEC, I presented Malaysia’s innovative measures for fire prevention and emergency preparedness, emphasizing our structured approach to building resilient communities.
Central to our efforts is the belief that champions are made, not born.
Through education, training, and community engagement, we empower individuals to become life savers and risk assessors, capable of responding effectively to emergencies.
One key focus was the importance of the “first five minutes” of an incident.
Immediate and informed action during this critical period can prevent minor incidents from escalating into major crises.
Our programs equip individuals with the knowledge and tools to act decisively, fostering a culture of preparedness at every level of society.
Malaysia’s adoption of the “3Ps” framework—Precaution, Prevention, and Protection—underpins our strategies.
These principles are complemented by the “5Es” (Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Emergency Management, and Economic Initiatives), which guide our policies and practices.
By aligning our efforts with international best practices, we ensure that Malaysia remains at the forefront of fire safety and disaster management innovation.
Resilience, as defined at INTERSEC, is the ability of a system or community to resist, absorb, and recover from hazards in a timely and efficient manner.
Achieving this requires collaboration among governments, agencies, and communities.
At Bomba Malaysia, we actively engage with international bodies and adopt advanced technologies to enhance our capabilities.
Using the C4iFRDM (Command, Control, Communication, and Computer Intelligence for Fire and Rescue Department Malaysia) system and the Next Generation Emergency Services 999 (NG999) exemplifies how technology can transform emergency response.
These systems enable efficient planning and coordination, ensuring that resources are deployed effectively during crises.
The “5Cs” framework—Contact, Communicate, Coordinate, Collaborate, and Cooperate—further reinforces our approach.
By fostering strong relationships among stakeholders, we create an ecosystem of support that enhances resilience across sectors.
During the panel discussion, I also emphasized that Malaysia’s strategies for fire safety and disaster preparedness can serve as a model for other nations.
The principles of the “3Ps” and “5Es,” coupled with our focus on community engagement, are universally applicable.
However, their success depends on the willingness of all parties—governments, agencies, and communities—to adapt and adopt these measures.
Malaysia’s participation in global initiatives, such as the Montreal Protocol, the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, reflects our commitment to tackling shared challenges.
These collaborations enhance our ability to address the impacts of climate change and strengthen our resilience.
Community involvement and education are at the heart of Bomba Malaysia’s approach.
By addressing the “Unsafe ABCs”—Unsafe Acts, Behaviors, and Conditions—we raise awareness of fire risks and encourage proactive measures.
Our programs highlight the importance of creating “champions” within communities who can lead emergency responses and promote fire safety.
Education remains a powerful tool for fostering resilience.
Through structured programs, we equip individuals with the skills and mindset needed to succeed in emergencies.
The scientific evidence is clear: people are motivated by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors when performing heroic acts.
By nurturing these motivations, we can create a society of empowered and responsible citizens.
The recognition Bomba Malaysia received at INTERSEC underscores the importance of our work. However, our mission is far from complete.
Fire safety is not just about responding to incidents; it is about preventing them through education, innovation, and collaboration.
Moving forward, we must continue to share our experiences, adopt global best practices, and strengthen partnerships.
Ultimately, fire safety is everyone’s responsibility.
By working together—across borders and disciplines—we can build a safer, more resilient world.
This journey at INTERSEC Dubai 2025 was not just about showcasing Malaysia’s achievements but also about learning from global experts and forging new collaborations.
Together, we can rise to the challenges of a changing world and ensure a secure future for generations.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Sarawak Tribune.
