WITH plans to set up the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) on Disaster Relief already in place, several establishments in Malaysia have begun checking and tightening safety measures in their own backyard.

Westport Malaysia, for instance, which has several emergency plans, will continue beefing up its safety measures as activities in its port have increased tremendously.

Its senior manager Mahat Tumin, who is also the company’s head of Fire, Security and Safety Department, said that although the company is already well-prepared in terms and safety and rescue arrangement, it is not taking anything for granted.

Westport was one of the participants at the three-day conference organised by the NGOs on Disaster Relief, at the Mid Valley Megamall Exhibition Centre last week.

"We should be in a position to choose terminals where we can enjoy their service quality and not be restricted because of their infrastructure.

The conference was aimed at spearheading the coordination of relief work.

Mahat said that with Westport, which is in Port Klang, being developed as a regional hub and load centre thus turning Malaysia into a major player in the shipping business, the management had to ensure that all aspects of safety and security were seriously monitored.

“We don’t have any huge disasters inside the port area thus far, but we have to remind ourselves to be on alert at all times.

“That’s why we have already set up a special emergency response team (ERT), which coordinates the port operation with the Klang Port Authority (KPA), the regulatory body.

“So, what we have done is to put together all the contingency plans with those of terminal operators, such as Caltex and ExxonMobil,” Mahat said.

He said that a committee for Emergency Response Programme had been formed, out of which exists a sub-committee for Westport proper, where members are section heads as well as representatives of all the departments at Westport.

Mahat said Westport’s security, fire prevention and safety personnel are also able to carry out other functions should untoward incident occur at the port.

“We have laid out proper arrangement so we’ll be able to contain disaster at level one or tier one operation at the least,” he said.

He said Westport also has its own very small Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team where additional training is provided by the bigger or the actual Smart trainers.

“We have three teams of scuba divers to look into victims and cargoes that fell into the sea, and we have dangerous cargo arrangement. So, ERT will be kept on alert during the shifting of dangerous cargoes at the port area,” he said.

As part of a requirement of International Ship and Port Facility Security Code and also with the existence of new Container, Customs Initiative as well as Custom Partnership on Terrorism, made up after Sept 11 attacks, Westport has to prepare an assessment on its safety and emergency plans and inform all shipping companies about it, he said.

“We are conducting drills or exercises almost every month in the Westport terminals and the port’s various other areas, such as at the container operation docks and at high-rise buildings.

“Table-top exercises, meanwhile, are mainly based on the theory of certain scenarios, we adapted them and have evaluations -— whether we are doing them correctly or otherwise,” he added.

Mahat said Westport has 2,000 people working at the port plus some 1,500 who are on contract. Besides that we have some 5,000 customers from time to time at the port hence safety is of utmost important.

“We carry out induction courses before the staff begin on their respective jobs. They will be attached with my department where training on safety aspects will be provided,” he said.

He said local trainers are engaged to train his staff with the collaborations of the KPA, Marine Department and from other terminal operators.

“We work together, including the police, the fire department and various other government agencies,” he said.

Mahat said if a fire occurs at the port, the ERT, under his command, will take responsibility in controlling it.

That will be tier one, he explains, until such time that his team cannot control the whole situation then it becomes tier two, whereby matters will be taken over by the KPA.

“From then on, we activate the emergency control centre which is located at Westport, and other parties will get involved later on,” he said.

If both the port authorities cannot curb the crisis, the local Fire and Rescue Department and the police will then take over and Westport’s ERT will just be an assistant to the other bigger authorities, he said.

Mahat said Westport is also working together with other ports, where its staff are also attached and trained, such as in Singapore.

“We also visit bigger and busier ports, such as the port in Rotterdam, Holland, to learn about their level of preparedness. We are also working closely with other international bodies, such as the Maritime Security Council and International Airport and Seaport Police as they have special training programmes prepared for international levels,” he said.

He said another body governing the port here is the Marine Department, which is jointly controlling the area.

He said in its rescue arrangement, Westport has the collaboration of the Klang hospital while its crisis management team also works closely with Pulau Indah residents.

“If a huge explosion occurs at the port, the island will also be affected hence we have to be prepared to evacuate the islanders during such an occurence

“To notify the islanders, we have the cooperation of the “penghulus”, or heads of the villages, who will in turn inform the rest of the residents on the island.

As the port opens round the clock, communication can be done through various means — telephone, e-mail, mobile, etc, he said.

Mahat said Westport, besides improving the preparedness of its staff, is also upgrading and increasing its rescue equipment.

“We are adding in a new ambulance, fire engine and acquiring the latest fire fighting equipment as well as for the scuba and Smart teams,” he said. — Bernama