Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team

The Special Malaysian Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART; Malay: Pasukan Mencari dan Menyelamat Khas Malaysia, Jawi: ڤاسوكن منچاري دان مڽلامت خاص مليسيا) is a disaster relief and rescue task force established under the National Security Council based on the approval of the Cabinet on 18 May 1994. The SMART task force is a United Nations INSARAG certified Heavy USAR (Urban Search and Rescue team) in June 2016.
The team draws its members from the Malaysian Armed Forces, Royal Malaysian Police and Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia.
Malaysia has been through three major disasters since 1988 which is Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal bridge collapse in the year 1988, Bright Sparklers Fireworks disaster in 1991 and Klang Port Chong Hong 3 Tanker Explosion in 1992. The pinnacle of disaster in Malaysia happens in the year 1993 when the Highland Towers collapse in Ulu Klang, outskirt of Kuala Lumpur. The tragedy came to world attention in which five countries sent aid workers to help. They are from the USA, Great Britain, Détachement d'intervention catastrophes aéromobile (DICA) from France, Japan Disaster Relief Team (JDRT) from Japan and Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) from Singapore. The JDRT led by Kiyoshi Shidara then donates their sophisticated equipment to Malaysia.
Following the collapse of the Highland Towers tragedy on 11 December 1993, Malaysia intends to establish a disaster rescue team based on the Japanese JDRT. The Cabinet Committee then convened on 18 May 1994 approved the establishment of the SMART team under the management of the National Security Council. The SMART will draw its members from three government departments which are Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (FRDM), Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) and the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF).
On 1 August 1996, the SMART finally established with a strength of 85 personnel including officers. SMART is put under the National Security Council.
On 1 January 2004, SMART is expanded to 104 personnel.
On 1 June 2009, SMART moving to new SMART Headquarter in Pulau Meranti, Puchong.
On 1 June 2014, SMART is expanding again to 141 personnel and their salary grade was standardised.
In May 2015, SMART planning to apply for INSARAG certification.
On 1 October 2015, SMART was transferred to NADMA to improve disaster management coordination and response.
On 5 June 2016, SMART gets INSARAG certification. With this certification, SMART is the second Disaster Relief team to be certified in Southeast Asia after the Singaporean Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team.
On 11 April 2019, the SMART was chosen to become a mentor to the Brunei rescue team. SMART will assist the team until they get their INSARAG certification.
Under National Security Council Directive No.19 and Directive No.20, there are four main functions of SMART outlined by the Malaysian Government:
Dark Blue Beret
Red Helmet
Blue Uniform
Logo
SMART only opens its membership to personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia, Royal Malaysian Police and Malaysian Army.
SMART always train together with other government agency and department. They even conduct training for private sectors and educational institutions. SMART enjoys good relations with the Singaporean Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) and they always train together.
The application for the SMART can only be applied by personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia, Royal Malaysia Police and Malaysian Army from their respective bases/HQ.
All selected candidates into the SMART Stage will be a test based on:
Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT)
Phobia of height test
Phobia of blood and corpses test
Phobia of dark and confined space test
Final interview
This arduous course lasts for 11 weeks. In this course, trainees will be trained hard at any time. Among the module that's been taught during the course is; Medical, Urban search and rescue (USAR), Road Traffic Accident (RTA), High Angle & Rope rescue, HAZMAT and many more. Also, the trainees are required to undergo physical training every day as well as individual and team tests such as obstacle courses and endurance circuit. IPPT is also conducted every Friday throughout the course and the final test; trainers will be tested with 30 km (19 mi) casualty evacuation through hilly terrain around Kuala Kubu Bharu.
This is a three-week military style water rescue course organised by SMART in cooperation with the Life Saving Society Malaysia (Malay: Persatuan Penyelamat Kelemasan Malaysia; PPKM). This course is a must for the SMART and Malaysian Lifeguard members.
In the final examination, trainees need to pass a few tests in order to get the Bronze Medallion Certificate:
International Life Saver (ILS) is an international certificate for water rescue. Bronze Medallion Rescue Course trainee needs to take three more tests to get ILS certificate. The three tests are:
FRLS Course is a two-level paramedic management course and usually organised at Malaysian Civil Defense Force Academy (ALPHA).
At level 1, trainees will learn basic paramedic techniques and skills. At level 2, trainees will learn how to differentiate trauma patients from other patients and how to treat them.
The missions that SMART have participated in includes: