Malaysia Targets 500 Volunteer Fire Brigades by 2030 to Strengthen Community Emergency Response

KUALA LUMPUR, April 5 — The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia is stepping up efforts to strengthen community-level emergency response by expanding its volunteer firefighting programme across the country.Authorities announced a target to establish 500 Volunteer Fire Brigades nationwide by 2030 as part of a broader initiative to enhance grassroots disaster preparedness and ensure quicker responses to fires and emergencies, particularly in rural and suburban communities. Currently, Malaysia already has 365 volunteer brigades with approximately 8,900 active members, who assist professional firefighters during emergencies such as house fires, forest fires, floods, and other disasters. Officials expect those numbers to grow steadily in the coming years as more communities participate in the programme. The volunteer brigades, commonly known as Pasukan Bomba Sukarela (PBS), play a vital role in supporting firefighters by providing early response before professional teams arrive at incident locations. Their presence is especially important in remote areas where travel time for emergency services may be longer.Authorities say the expansion of volunteer brigades will help improve initial response times, which are often critical in preventing small fires from escalating into large-scale disasters. Volunteers are typically trained to conduct basic firefighting operations, manage crowd safety, and assist in evacuation efforts during emergencies.Officials emphasised that achieving the 2030 target will not only require establishing new volunteer teams but also ensuring that existing brigades remain active, well-trained, and equipped to respond effectively The programme also aligns with Malaysia’s broader disaster management strategy, which focuses on improving cooperation between government agencies, emergency responders, and local communities. By involving citizens directly in emergency preparedness, authorities hope to build a nationwide network capable of responding more effectively to fires, floods, and other emergencies.Experts say community-based emergency response programmes have proven successful in many countries, as trained volunteers can often reach incident sites faster than centralised emergency units. Their presence can significantly reduce property damage and help save lives during the crucial early stages of an emergency.In Malaysia, volunteer brigades have already played important roles in responding to residential fires, assisting during flood evacuations, and supporting rescue operations during natural disasters. With the planned expansion to 500 brigades, authorities aim to further strengthen the country’s emergency response system while fostering stronger cooperation between communities and professional firefighters.The initiative reflects the government’s commitment to building a more resilient society where citizens actively participate in protecting their communities and supporting national emergency services.