| Multi-Skill Team | |
|---|---|
 Shoulder badge of MUSTeam | |
| Founded | 11 September 1998 |
| Country |  Malaysia |
| Branch |  Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia |
| Type | Special operations firefighter |
| Role |
|
| Size | 561 firefighters (as of December 2022) |
| Part of | FRDM Air Division |
| Headquarters | FRDM Subang Air Base |
| Nickname(s) | "MUSTeam", "MUST", "MUST Team" |
| Motto(s) | Cekap dan pantas ('Efficient and fast') |
The Multi-Skill Team (lit. 'Pasukan Pelbagai Kemahiran', Abbr.: MUST) is a specialised firefighter and rescue unit within the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia. This highly mobile unit is trained in helicopter operations, with a focus on firefighting and rescue in high-rise buildings and difficult-to-access areas such as jungles and seas. In addition to firefighting, MUST assists in search and rescue operations and serves as ground crew for helicopters.[1]
MUST is one of the FRDM's several elite rescue teams. They are considered among the most elite units, alongside the Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (STORM), FRDM Smoke Jumper, and PASKUB.[2]
History
editEstablished as a Special Operations Firefighter Unit Attached to the Air Division
editThe Multi-Skill Team (MUST) was established on 11 September 1998, during the opening day of the 1998 Commonwealth Games, with only 21 firefighters. This team was created as a complement to the FRDM Air Division, which was also established at the same time as MUST. Their purpose was to ensure the safety and confidence of the participating nations, as the athletes' village consisted of high-rise buildings located around the Bukit Jalil sports complex. Officially, their roles at that time included:[3]
- High-Rise Rescue
- Water Rescue
- Road traffic accident response
- Handling Hazardous Materials
- Urban Search and Rescue
- Emergency Medical and Rescue Services
- Jungle-fire suppression
- High Angle Rescue
- Air Rescue
Due to their multiple responsibilities, this team was named the Multi-Skill Team (MUST).[3]
Restructured to Focus on Air Operations
editIn the early 2000s, MUST returned some of its responsibilities to the original units. For example, Hazardous Materials operations were returned to the FRDM HAZMAT unit, and water rescue responsibilities were handed back to the FRDM Water Rescue Unit. This restructuring allowed MUST to focus on operations involving high-rise rescues, air rescues, and firefighting in inaccessible locations. Several MUST firefighters received training on how to communicate and direct helicopter landings in difficult locations. Their roles became almost equivalent to those of pathfinders.[4][5]
In 2005, several MUST firefighters received parachute training with the RMAF Special Forces. As a result, FRDM established the FRDM Smoke Jumper unit and placed it under the command of MUST.[6]
Roles
editIn Air Operations
editAs a unit under the FRDM Air Division, MUST firefighters are trained for various air operations. They are capable of being winched down, abseiling, and fast-roping from helicopters to the required locations. Most of the air operation roles previously held by MUST firefighters were taken over by FRDM PASKUB, which was established around 2012.[1]
In High-Rise Rescue
editBoth STORM and MUST firefighters are highly trained in rope rescue techniques. Firefighters from both units often collaborate on high-rise rescue missions, leveraging their combined expertise.[3]
In Jungle-Fire Suppression
editBoth STORM and MUST firefighters are adept at jungle firefighting. The main difference is that MUST firefighters can be dispatched from helicopters, whereas STORM typically reaches the area of operations by land.[3]
In Search and Rescue Operations
editThe standard operating procedure for search and rescue operations involves dispatching a rescue squad composed of firefighters from various special operations units. These operations are led by STORM, with MUST providing assistance in rescue efforts and serving as ground crew for rescue helicopters.[7]
Identities
editSelection and training
editNotes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "MUST pasukan elit bomba". HM Online (in Malay). 2014-11-21. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
- ^ Latif, Yasmin Abdul (2023-01-21). "Latihan 'gila' melahirkan penyelamat elit". Free Malaysia Today (in Malay). Retrieved 2024-06-28.
- ^ a b c d Harun, Roslina; Maidin, Kassim; Abd Razak, Ida Shariza; Nordin, Mohd Syazwan (2012). "SEJARAH PERKHIDMATAN KEBOMBAAN SEBELUM DAN SELEPAS MERDEKA" [History of Firefighting Services Before and After Independence] (PDF). bomba.gov.my (in Malay).
- ^ "MUST pasukan elit bomba". HM Online (in Malay). 2014-11-21. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
- ^ Harun, Nazdy (2016-12-01). "Tunggu 2 helikopter". HM Online (in Malay). Retrieved 2024-06-29.
- ^ Air Times News Network (2022-09-01). Smoke Jumpers Bomba pamer kemahiran penerjunan dalam Mersing Skydive Challenge 2022. Retrieved 2024-06-29 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Operasi oleh Pasukan Elit Wira Merah Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia Negeri Sarawak" [Operations by the Elite Red Heroes Team of the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia, Sarawak]. Radio Televisyen Malaysia (in Malay). 2020. Retrieved 2024-06-29.