The Sarawak government targets to achieve zero loss of lives and minimal damage to property in any disaster and, as such, wants to set up more community emergency response teams (CERT).

The CERT will be the first to respond on the ground in the event of any emergency or disaster while awaiting the arrival of the professionals.

Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah Embas said these trained groups can make decisions and mobilise and coordinate the people during such times.

“In the event of floods, they can decide when the people should begin evacuating … especially the sick and the elderly," he said when closing a four-day course for 164 members of 24 CERT from throughout the state, here.

Uggah, who is also the chairman of the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee, said floods and longhouse fires are always a great challenge to the state, especially when they happen deep in the interior.

“With CERT at every nook and corner of the state, we hope to be able to achieve this,” he said in reference to the zero loss of lives and minimal damage to property during disasters.

The state now has 45 CERT with 7,192 volunteers.

Uggah said the CERT members can also help to fight the current rabies scourge in Sarawak by reporting sick dogs and advising villagers to get their animals vaccinated and to adopt only vaccinated dogs.

- Bernama