MELAKA: Prank calls continue to disrupt the Melaka Fire and Rescue Department's operations, with four incidents recorded in 2024 and two more between January and August this year.

State director Mohd Zaidi Maat emphasised that every call must be treated as genuine until verified.

Mohd Zaidi noted that prank and nuisance calls have significantly declined since the implementation of MERS 999, the national emergency response system operated by Telekom Malaysia, which screens every call before dispatching emergency teams.

"It's not like before. Previously, we received calls from heartbroken or lonely individuals but now, it's mostly people playing pranks without understanding the consequences," he said.

While experienced responders can often sense when a call might be false, he stressed that each incident still affects manpower and operations.

Separately, Mohd Zaidi highlighted the growth of the Fire and Rescue Cadet Corps across the state, with more than 600 students currently participating under the supervision of 11 fire stations statewide.

The programme equips students with hands-on experience in firefighting, rescue techniques, teamwork, and leadership.

"These cadets are learning discipline and public responsibility. We're planning to expand the programme to more schools across the state," he said.

He added that the cadet corps serves as a training ground for future firefighters and helps build greater fire safety awareness among youth.