CDERT was established on 16 March 2006, underArahan Jabatan Bil. 1 tahun 2006 where all the Pejabat Negeri Pertahanan Awam were instructed to create CDERT teams within the government agencies, private and statutory bodies as well as within the community.
Made up of members of the community, the CDERT teams will be trained by the Angkatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia (APM) to the first to respond in emergencies of natural disasters.
The main objective for the establishment of CDERT Team is to educate the community in facing emergencies and disasters such as flood or fire breakout in providing emergency response and aids during the early stage of emergency.
This is because, it would take time for rescue teams such as APM personnel to reach a particular area, especially in the rural areas.
The purpose of the establishment of CDERT is as following:
1. Helps reduce the impact of an emergency or disaster at an early stage. Preparedness for an emergency at an early stage will provide a good “precaution or preventive measure” to the agency or party concerned to ensure the “survival” of their agency.
2. The establishment of this CDERT in government agencies, private and selected statutory bodies will be able to help the Department perform its responsibilities more effectively during emergencies or disasters that require Civil Defence services.
3. The establishment of CDERT by the Department is in line with the Akta Keselamatan Dan Kesihatan Pekerja 1994 dan Akta Kilang Dan Jentera 1967 which requires all agencies or owners to provide a safe working environment and have a high level of protection from danger that could cause injury or loss of life while performing services.
4. The impact and effects of an emergency, accident or disaster are certainly very painful and quite difficult to predict and cause losses that are difficult to accept by the individuals, agencies or companies involved. With the emergency and disaster management training provided by the APM, it will help employees to respond early thereby reducing property damage and loss of life.
For those who are interested in joining as members of the CDERT Team, you may reach out to;
Lt. Kol. (PA) Mohd Huzaimi bin Raup,
Cawangan Kurikulum dan Pasukan Sokongan,
Bahagian Pengurusan Latihan,
Ibu Pejabat, Angkatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia.
No Tel: 03-8920 6016/6017/6020
No Fax: 03-8920 6360
Email: info_bpl@civildefence.gov.my
(Source: https://www.civildefence.gov.my/en/perkhidmatan/civil-defence-emergency-response-team-cdert/)