BFRD Special Squad Unit

Special Squad Personnel in High Rise Rescue Operation

Mobile Rescue Unit (Left) and Rescue Tender (RT) at the right

Some of the specialized rescue equipment used by the unit

The unit Rapid Intervention Vehicle (RIV)

Special Squad Personnel

In order to increase its capability in rescue operation, the Brunei Fire and Rescue Department (BFRD) had a Special Squad Unit. This unit which are formed on 18 February 2002 will be deployed to large scale incidents and disaster. This unit also provide support to the operational firefighters if needed

Currently based at the former BFRD Training Centre at Berakas. This unit operates a fleet of three specialist fire appliances namely the Mobile Rescue Unit (MRU), Rescue Tender (RT) and Rapid Intervention Vehicle (RIV). The unit also operate a Special Squad Rescue Trailer (SSRT) which act as equipment carrier for deployment at rural areas or overseas.

The unit alos had 45 personnel where most of the personnel in the unit are mostly trained in the country and overseas such as Singapore, Malaysia and others. Beside training, the personnel also active in joining overseas training such as at the Singapore Mandai Training Village and Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. The formation of this unit at the same time also played an important toe in the the country participation in the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM)

The formation of the Special Squad Unit can be traced back in the end of the 1970s with the formation of the RESCUE team which are stationed at strategic fire stations in Belait and Brunei Muara District. At that time the team are actively deployed to typical Road Traffic Accident (RTA) and specialist rescue operation. The equipment during the era consist of basic rescue tools and hydraulic rescue equipment which are the state of art equipment at that time.

Now most of the equipment used by the unit are the state of art and latest similar to their counterparts in this region. The unit involvement can be seen during the Temburong Major Flood, Gadong Commercial Area Blaze, Suicide Attempt at MCYS buildings as well as in exercises held around Brunei.