KUCHING: A traumatic event typically leaves one with physical, emotional or mental scars so it takes nerves of steel to face such adversity – and overcome.
Willvein Robin, the youngest member in the State Fire and Rescue (Bomba) Mountain and Cave Search and Rescue (Mocsar) team is one such person who has admirable courage, driven passion and strong determination.
The 28-year-old lost his younger brother during a flood disaster that hit Deer Cave in the Gunung Mulu National Park back in 2019.
His younger brother, Roviezal was the national park’s youngest trained guide with three years of experience even though he was only 20 at the time.
Despite this, Willvein chose to face his emotions and thoughts positively especially when undergoing at least 50 hours of monthly training in the mountains and caves at the national park together with the other nine Mocsar members.
He disclosed that his parents initially opposed his decision to join the Mocsar team.
“It took quite some time for my parents, especially my mother to give me her blessing. I do understand why they were not too keen, but I wanted to honour my late brother.
“He was indeed a hero, he did not think twice about his own safety and put those under his care first. I wish to be brave like he was and I want to help save others,” he said.
Willvein who hails from Long Terawan in Mulu admitted that waves of emotions do sometimes creep up, noting that the loss of a beloved son and brother still affects his family to this day.
On what it is like to be part of the Mocsar team, Willvein described the dynamics as more than just regular team members.
In saying this, he pointed out that he has learned great things from the others during and outside of their training hours.
“They are like my big brothers who I look up to and learn a lot from. It is great that we get on very well with each other because it will contribute to the success of search and rescue (SAR) operations.
“I honestly enjoy being part of the Mocsar team very much,” he said.
Willvein hoped more young people will want to be part of the Mocsar team as there are many benefits one can reap.
“I do hope that more youths would join us when there is a recruitment,” he added.
The first Mocsar team was launched on July 12 last year on the first anniversary of the flood disaster in Deer Cave which took the lives of Roviezal and a Dutch tourist on July 12 in 2019.
Willvein is part of the pioneer batch based in Mulu and the team is not only the first responders in the event of mountain or cave incident, but also responsible for extinguishing structural and forest fires as well as other rescue duties including in the event of floods.
