KUANTAN, The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) will be sending its pilots to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for simulated helicopter emergency training to enhance the skills of its personnel.

Its director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said JBPM has been allocated RM800,000 to send all 17 of its pilots to that country.

He said the simulated training is important to reduce the risk of air accidents, and so far, four JBPM pilots have been sent for the training last year, with the rest expected to be completed by the end of this year.

“The simulated training has long been planned but was delayed due to COVID-19 issues, and it was further exacerbated by the crisis between Ukraine and Russia, which prevented us from using the helicopter simulation training facilities in Ukraine.

“However, starting last year, we found that similar facilities were developed in the UAE, and we began sending JBPM teams there, with four pilots sent in November last year,” he told reporters after the JBPM honorary rank awards ce
remony here today.