First emergency motorcycle response unit launched in Penang

GEORGE TOWN: The country's first motorcycle - driven emergency response unit has been launched on the narrow roads of the island to assist road users in cases of accidents, mishaps or breakdowns.
Called the George Town Community Emergency Response Team or better known as CERT, they are believed to be the first of such emergency response teams in the country.
The team was informally established three-years ago on Nov 19, 2015 and was only recently approved by the Registrar of Society (ROS), said CERT chairman Lee Chiew Wan.
The idea of forming this team was to provide alternative avenues to assist other aid providers such as the St. John Ambulance and Red Crescent (RC), who rely on traditional ambulances, he told theSun.
The team consist of mostly volunteers, who work during office-hours or are involved in shift-work.
"They sacrifice their time and effort to give back to society. We should applaud their efforts," said Lee.
He said that currently they have more than 30 members and about 10 of them are qualified first aid responders.
The basic aid he mentioned included minor treatment, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and even performing Basic Life Support (BLS) on victims.
"We are the first established and certified team to be formed here in Penang," he said.
He said the team received overwhelming support from the public when they spot them administering aid to victims.
"We are also planning to expand it throughout the country," Lee said.
Netizens can check their Facebook page for more information at https://www.facebook.com/cert.community.emergency.response.team/