KOTA BARU: The Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department today received a helipad to be used in rescue operations during the upcoming monsoon season.
Department's director-general Datuk Seri Abdul Wahab Mat Yasin said the helipad was set up near the state's headquarters in Tunjung here.
He said Kelantan was the first state department in the peninsular to have its own helipad.
However, the helipad would also be used by other rescue agencies too, he said.
"We realise that during the monsoon season, helicopters are among the most important transportation to help flood victims especially to reach people who live in remote areas.
"We've decided to place one helipad here for helicopters including for Emergency Medical Air Ambulance Rescue Services (Emars) to use," he told reporters at the launch of the helipad here today.
Present were Kelantan Fire and Rescue director Zainal Mandasin and Kelantan Disaster Management director Nik Mohamed Noor Nik Ishak.
Wahab said the use of helicopters were important during the monsoon season as it helps speed up the process of food distribution.
"So far, we have several helicopter landing bases including in Wakaf Tapai, Terengganu and Bertam in Penang.
"With the new place here (to land a helicopter), we hope rescue works and evacuations for flood victims will be more effective."
He said the current weather conditions in the country showed an extraordinary phenomenon.
"Based on this situation, the fire and rescue department's officers in all 377 stations in the country are urged to be on standby.
"They must ensure all assets are in good condition and ready to be deployed to the flood-prone areas once they receive any directive," he added.