New Penang K9 centre strengthens Bomba’s disaster readiness

The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) opened its K9 Operations Centre in Taman Sri Sentosa to the public and media today, presenting a compelling look at the future of national emergency response. Under the “Sentuhan Kejayaan” programme, senior officials led by Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming witnessed a coordinated showcase of canine capabilities, robotic technologies, and community-based rescue assets designed to strengthen preparedness for increasingly complex disasters.

The event brought together traditional and cutting-edge tools, signalling JBPM’s steady move toward a more technology-driven disaster-management framework. With climate-related emergencies on the rise, the department emphasised the need for enhanced precision, safety and speed during critical operations.

Technology meets instinct in dual demonstration

A key attraction was the rare side-by-side demonstration of JBPM’s robotic dog and its elite K9 search-and-rescue teams. The robotic unit, built for hazardous environments, navigated uneven terrain, probed confined spaces, and transmitted live visuals to the command team. Its ability to perform preliminary reconnaissance, detect hazards such as gas leaks or hotspots, and enter structurally unstable areas underscores its role in protecting human responders during high-risk missions.

Immediately after the robotic display, JBPM’s canine handlers conducted live search drills showcasing agility, scent detection and rapid victim-location skills. The demonstration reinforced the irreplaceable role of trained dogs in operations involving missing persons, collapsed structures and disaster-victim identification. The pairing of robotic intelligence with canine instincts highlights JBPM’s emerging hybrid response model, combining precision technology with the proven capabilities of its K9 teams.

New K9 centre to boost northern region preparedness

The event also marked a strategic milestone with Minister Nga’s announcement of a new RM19 million K9 centre to be built in Bertam, Penang, scheduled for completion in 2029. The facility will serve as the fourth national K9 hub and is expected to enhance emergency coverage in the northern states, where flood incidents, landslides and missing-person cases have surged in recent years.

JBPM further confirmed the procurement of 16 additional detection dogs from the United Kingdom. Trained in narcotics, explosives, disaster-victim identification and search operations, the new canines will strengthen the department’s specialised assets and expand operational reach nationwide.

Bomba Komuniti equipped for monsoon

Adding to its readiness measures, JBPM handed over four rescue boats to Bomba Komuniti teams, reinforcing community-level response capability ahead of the monsoon season. These boats will support early evacuations, swift-water rescues and rapid assistance for residents living in rural and semi-urban flood-prone zones. The enhancement is timely, given Malaysia’s more than RM1.5 billion in fire-related losses recorded this year, underscoring the urgency of stronger prevention and rapid-response mechanisms.

Through the Sentuhan Kejayaan showcase, JBPM demonstrated a cohesive strategy that merges advanced robotics, trusted K9 expertise and community empowerment. As Malaysia braces for more unpredictable disasters, the department’s investments point toward a faster, safer and more adaptive emergency-response system anchored in both innovation and human capability.