PASUKAN KHAS APM
SPECIAL DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
(SPIDER TEAM)

The history of the establishment of the APM Special Forces. This team was established on 15 August 2008 at the Negeri Sembilan Civil Defense Center (PUSPA). The APM Special Team was initially established with a membership of 100 officers and members from all over Malaysia and deployment was made according to the zones which are North Zone, Central Zone, East Zone, South Zone, Sabah Zone and Sarawak Zone. On 1 August 2017, this team was rebranded from the Special Civil Defense Team (PASPA) to the Special Disaster and Emergency Response Team (SPIDER TEAM).

The significance is that the establishment of the APM Special Team, which now has a total membership of 84 people, aims to carry out search and rescue operations (SAR) in a systematic, orderly and efficient manner in a major disaster. This team acts in situations where the disaster requires skill and expertise as well as advanced equipment where search and rescue tasks are difficult to carry out.

The intention of the establishment at that time was to form a dynamic and highly skilled team capable of handling any challenging task in the event of a very complex disaster. Each APM Special Forces Officer is required to attend a special course for 6 months including the following modules:

1. Self Resilience;
2. search and rescue expertise;
3. Scuba expertise;
4. rescue in dangerous areas (HAZMAT);
5. rescue in air, forest and water; and
6. other skills courses.

These courses are held periodically every year to strengthen each officer of the APM Special Forces, and it is not limited to that only. In fact, this team was also revealed with:

1. Air Dispatcher (Releaser) and Fast Roping Courses with the joint effort of the Air Special Forces (PASKAU) of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM);
2. Combat Medic Course in collaboration with the Armed Forces Health Institute (INSAN) Camp Terendak, Melaka;
3. Abseiling training using a helicopter;
4. The International Urban Search And Rescue (IUSAR) course organized by the Singapore Civil Defense Academy (SCDA);
5. Mass Casualty Management course organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); and
6. Hazardous Materials Handling Course (HAZMAT) organized by KLIA Fire Rescue & Service Airport.

In reality, today’s disasters are increasingly challenging and the APM Special Forces need to be role models for officers and members of the Malaysian Civil Defense Force in carrying out humanitarian aid operations during disasters.

In general, the activation of the APM Special Team will not only be more focused on special rescue operations. However, management work before, during and after a disaster as well as advisory services to prepare and prepare for emergencies are also carried out during peace. With this, the skills they have will be able to be used optimally in ensuring the safety and order of the people is maintained.

Pasukan Khas APM membentuk satu komponen di bawah organisasi Angkatan Pertahanan Awam yang mantap, dinamik dan efisyen. Mereka sentiasa bersedia dalam menghadapai apa jua cabaran mendatang, sesuai dengan lambang ikatan pada Figure of Eight pada logo Pasukan Khas APM yang menggambarkan paduan keringat dan ketabahan mental dan fizikal dalam menangani situasi kritikal dan cemas. Untuk makluman, Figure of Eight dan Tali adalah merupakan peralatan penting yang digunakan dalam operasi mencari dan menyelamat (SAR). Ia bukan sahaja digunakan untuk tugasan menyelamat, akan tetapi sebagai personal protective equipment (ppe) kepada penyelamat itu sendiri.

Various special skills training includes:

1. Fitness training;
2. Disaster management module;
3. Search and Rescue (SAR) module;
4. Rescue when buildings collapse; and
5. Activation and introduction to the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) system.

This kind of skills course is important to the APM Special Forces because it gives great meaning and is the main field in producing professional and trained elite team officers in the Malaysian Civil Defense Force (APM) as well as playing a role in supporting the expansion of civil defense functions in general. in realizing the public safety agenda, the people and the country.

In addition, the Malaysian Civil Defense Force (APM) looks at the need to train highly skilled workers to become recognized trainers or ‘instructors’. This process requires not only the level of professionalism of the APM Special Team that is positive, disciplined and trained but also instills a culture of acquiring as many skills as possible that are available in order to be realized.

As a tribute to the sweat and devotion of the APM Special Forces members, YAS Maj. Gene. (B) KPj. (PA) Dato’ Azmy Bin Haji Yahya, Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Civil Defense Force has donned special berets to all members of the APM Special Forces on 21 July 2017. This special beret is a symbol of the rebranding of this force and the color blue was chosen to symbolize unity and team spirit in the face of all obstacles. This blue color is also in line with the use of the International Civil Defense Organization (ICDO) standard color.

For more information, please contact:

PPj. (PA) Abdul Wahab Bin Rahim
Pengarah
Bahagian Pengurusan Bencana dan Operasi
Ibu Pejabat, Jabatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia

No Tel : 03-8920 6080
No Fax : 03-8920 6360
Email : abdulwahab@civildefence.gov.my