SANDAKAN: Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and United States security personnel conducted a joint Medical First Responder (MFR) exercise here to strengthen emergency preparedness and operational coordination in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).
The Sept 14-18 exercise involved 30 officers and personnel from Esscom and participating Malaysian agencies, supported by 11 facilitators from the Special Operation Forces Liaison Element (Sofle) and Civil-Military Support Element (CSME) of the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
The training was conducted at the Sandakan District Police Headquarters and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) premises, covering theoretical and practical sessions for managing emergency situations.
Esscom said the exercise aimed to improve readiness, knowledge and practical experience, particularly in responding to natural disasters and humanitarian assistance.
It also strengthened coordination among security, enforcement, medical and non-governmental agencies operating within the Esszone.
The closing ceremony was officiated by Brig Gen Khairuddin Zakaria, representing the Esscom Commander, alongside US representative and chief instructor Capt James Blackburn of the Civil-Military Support Element, US Special Forces.
Also present were senior officers from the Marine Police Region Four, 15th Battalion General Operations Force, MMEA, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force, Sandakan Hospital and St John Ambulance Malaysia.
Esscom Commander DCP Datuk Victor B Sanjos said the exercise was successfully conducted in accordance with the terms of reference agreed by both sides.
The joint training also contributed to closer security cooperation between Malaysia and the United States, with Esscom expressing hope that similar programmes would continue in the future.
