The role of Emergency Response Team in university in meeting the emergency situation vis-a-vis the Malaysian mechanism of disaster management: University Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) perspective

Abstract

Although Malaysia encountered the Tsunami and the devastating flood that hit the state namely Johore, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Trengganu and Kelantan in mid December 2005, the devastation or tragedies that occur do not warrant the government to declare a state of emergency. Even though this is the present peaceful prevailing situation in Malaysia, there is no guarantee that major natural disasters will not occur again in the future. Against the backdrop of the relatively disaster-free haven in Malaysia, should a major catastrophe strike the country, and will we be ready to manage the crisis? Is our emergency preparedness machinery geared up? What part can the University play to contributes in the management of this crisis? What is the form of contribution can the University offers towards disaster preparedness and relief management in assisting the civil authorities? What is the status of alertness to respond to both the needs of the University and the community surrounding it? This paper attempts to describe the issue of “the Role of the EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM IN UNIVERSITY IN MEETING THE EMERGENCY SITUATION VIS-À-VIS THE MALAYSIAN MECHANISM OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT” based on the experience of UniMAP.