WHEN someone ends up in a sticky situation involving crocodiles, they pray to the high heavens that they get rescued.
This is the job of brave men and women of the Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA) to render assistance whenever they are called upon.
They would often stand up, be counted, and put their experiences, expertise, and knowledge on the line to ensure that their victims return home safe and sound – most importantly, in one piece.
There have been many instances when all hopes appear lost, these brave men and women managed to pull a rabbit out of a hat and bring relief to the victims’ families.
That is not to say that the job is easy, and as many would believe that when dealing with crocodiles, it comes with its own set of challenges.
In exercising their duties, the faith, endurance, and drive of rescue personnel get tested to its limits and sometimes beyond.
Kota Samarahan Fire Station chief Ebby Hirwandy Sarbini disclosed that his team received three rescue calls for crocodile attack cases in the past three years.
Out of these, two cases involved death and one case survived the gruesome encounter with the maneater.
He said there are concerns and challenges when it comes to deploying a team to assist in search and rescue (SAR) operations for crocodile attack cases.
Noting that crocodiles are predatory creatures that are waiting for the time to find their next victim, he said the SAR team would often venture into deep areas where crocodiles live.
“This is dangerous because the crocodiles are likely to attack when the team enters its territory.
“The SAR strategy is usually mobilised by bringing together armed agencies like the police to ensure that the team involved is safe,” he explained.
When the victim is successfully located, the rescue team will take the victim’s coordinates then submit it to the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) for study and research purposes.
He said the search for victims would be easier if there were witnesses who saw the attacks.
Elaborating further, he said the team will get as much information and data as possible from witnesses as well as family members of the victim which is also one of the strategies.
He admitted that after several rounds of interrogations, the victim’s family members would sadly become more emotional.
“Apart from that, the victim’s clothes also give the team the ability to narrow the search radius.
“The previous two cases involving death of victims showed that the crocodile attack was quite violent because most of the victims’ body parts were missing – this was very heartbreaking,” he said.
Ebby stated that a SAR operation usually lasts between seven to 10 days.
After the duration, the SAR operation would be called off which obviously inflicts an even greater emotional toll on the victim’s family members.
While it cannot be denied that the river is a source of livelihood and hobby for fishing enthusiasts, Ebby reminded there are many dangers that may occur including a crocodile attack.
He advised fishermen and fishing hobbyists to always be cautious of their surroundings.
He also stressed on the importance of notifying their loved ones on their location in case of any emergency.
“Please make sure that any movement you make to a certain location in the river is notified to your family members.
“It is also important to look for signs or warnings that indicate the presence of crocodiles.
“If possible, it is best not to get too close to the side of the boat to avoid an easy crocodile attack,” he added.
From 2015 to August 2022, BOMBA Sarawak received a total of 37 calls to assist in crocodile attack cases with the highest number of calls recorded was in 2021 with nine cases followed by 2020 with eight.
Of the total, Betong division recorded the highest number of cases at 10 followed by eight in Miri division and four in Kuching division.
According to BOMBA Sarawak director Datuk Khirudin Drahman, the cases were high during 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With movement restrictions imposed, he said human activities at the river slowed thus the number of fishes and prawns were abundant.
This situation prompted fishermen to become eager to go out to fish and cast their net once the movement restrictions were lifted.
“When the number of fishes and prawns are bountiful at an area, there are bound to be crocodiles because that is what they eat.
“There is still a need to educate and raise awareness among the local community about the behaviours of crocodiles especially on when they would go and hunt for food.
“Unfortunately, fishermen often go out early in the morning or late in the evening to set up their fishing line and net which happens to be when the crocodiles come out and hunt for food,” he said.
At the same time, he said the department strives to increase its personnel knowledge on crocodile behaviours to better assist in operations.
Describing crocodiles as shy monsters, Khirudin said survivors of crocodile attack cases shared they poked the crocodile’s eyes which are its weakness point.
He pointed out that crocodiles usually attack in one direction, but these predators often have the upper hand when the victims are in the water.
“Whenever we do advocacy programmes with the local community at areas that are infested with crocodiles, we advise them to not challenge nature and be extremely careful if they go out into the river.
“The crocodiles are king of the river – once you are in their territory, you are at their mercy,” he said.
Besides advocacy programmes, BOMBA Sarawak works together with SFC and the local council to put up warning signages at areas that are infested with crocodiles.
Khirudin advised the local community to pay attention and take the warning signages seriously.
“So far these warning signages have positive impacts because it is a deterrent and good reminder to the public to not simply go into the river.
“We do not know the characters of crocodiles in the river whether it is vicious and hungry or otherwise, so it is best to not take the risk,” he said.
On the department’s standard operating procedure (SOP) to assist in SAR operation with SFC, Khirudin said they would pool their resources to ensure the success of operations.
Depending on the area, the department would deploy one boat with up to six personnel and if needed, they will deploy an additional of three to four personnel and more boats.
“For the deployment of our canine (K9) unit particularly the cadaver discipline to assist in SAR operation for crocodile attack cases, there are several factors to be taken into consideration.
“It usually depends on assessment of the area and based on request, however the barking of our K9 dogs may affect the ability to catch the crocodile because they are sensitive to noises,” he said.
Khirudin said the department takes SAR operation involving crocodile attack cases seriously as it is part of their responsibilities in serving the local community.
He pointed out that when personnel are deployed to assist in SAR operations, it affects the strength at their fire stations as the number of personnel on duty are reduced.
“This is something that not many people know and most have the perception that SAR operation for crocodile attack cases is simple.
“In fact, we have to reorganise the number of our personnel on duty at the fire stations, look at deployment of assets, and provide meals to personnel involved in SAR operation,” he said.
Stating that all personnel are trained to assist in SAR operations, Khirudin said the department utilises its personnel who have local knowledge and experience to lead the team.
He said this was important as their local knowledge and experience are an asset that can contribute the success of operations.
“We are also training the local community who are either boat operators or fishermen as part of our Safety Water and Rescue Team (SWART) under the auxiliary officers or Pegawai BOMBA Bantuan (PBB).
“These people are well verse and know which areas have high population of fishes and prawns. Simultaneously, they are assisting the department in our advocacy programmes,” he explained.
With the challenges in assisting SAR operations particularly for crocodile attack cases, Khirudin said the safety of his personnel remain a top priority.
He stressed that he does not allow his personnel to get into the waters or proceed with operations in the dark during nighttime.
Recalling on a previous crocodile attack case, he said the victim’s father was so emotionally distraught that he went into the waters and called for the crocodile to appear.
“I will never allow my personnel to go into the waters because it will jeopardize their safety.
“It is difficult to conduct SAR operation during the nighttime so we would usually continue on the next day,” he said.
Khirudin disclosed that the department is looking to revise its curriculum and improve its equipment like lighting for SAR operations.
