The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (, Jawi: ), commonly known as Bomba, is a federal agency of Malaysia responsible for firefighting and technical rescue. Bomba is a Malay word derived from the Portuguese bombeiros which means 'firefighters'.

History

Firefighting services in Malaysia began in 1883 with the establishment of the Selangor fire and rescue volunteers led by H.F. Bellamy, with 15 active personnel. The Malayan Union Fire Services (MUS), based in Kuala Lumpur, was established after World War II, headed by Flight Lt. W.J. German.

The firefighting services became the responsibility of state governments after the Malaysia Federation Agreement. The services were then integrated as a federal-level department on 1 January 1976, reporting to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government. The department received a new name on 15 May 1981: "The Malaysian Fire Services Department".

On 8 January 1997, the Malaysian Ministerial Cabinet agreed to change the coat of arms, flag, and name of the Malaysian Fire Services Department to the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department. These were officially launched in a ceremony at the Genting Highlands Fire and Rescue Station in Pahang on 21 February 1997, by Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad.In the 2010s and 2020s, the department expanded its fleet and specialized search and rescue operations through the establishment of dedicated units such as STORM and MOSAR. Legislative updates, including the Fire Services (Amendment) Act 2018, further streamlined the regulation and registration of volunteer firefighter teams directly under federal departmental governance.

Organizational structure Fire and Rescue Academy

There are five Fire and Rescue Academy of Malaysia (FRAM) () campuses which includes: FRAM Central Region, Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor. FRAM Eastern Region, Wakaf Tapai, Marang, Terengganu. FRAM Northern Region, Tronoh, Perak. FRAM Sabah Region, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. FRAM Sarawak Region, Kuching, Sarawak.

FRAM offers certificate and diploma level courses in fire and rescue.

FRAM has a Band Unit that is attached to FRAM Central Region. The re-establishment was officiated by the then Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyidin Yassin. Historically, the Auxiliary Fire Service was first formed in 1940. Then, after World War II, they were absorbed into the regular fire services.

There are some differences between Auxiliaries and Volunteers. Auxiliary Firefighters () are formally trained at FRAM, while the Volunteer Firefighters receive their training at state and district fire stations. Auxiliary Firefighters are governed by the Fire Services Act 1988 and receive an allowance from the government. Volunteer Firefighters do not receive allowances from the government but are citizen volunteers serving as part of Volunteer Firefighting Teams based at Volunteer Fire Stations paid for by their local community. They are covered through insurance paid for by the Malaysian Government. Previously registered and governed by the Registrar of Societies, Volunteer Firefighters will now be registered and governed directly by the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department after Parliament passed the Fire Services (Amendment) Act 2018.

Mountain Search and Rescue After the Sabah earthquake that happened on 5 June 2015 affected Ranau and Mount Kinabalu, a specialist Mountain Search and Rescue team (MOSAR) was formed out of the Kinabalu Mountain Guides of Sabah Parks on 23 June 2015. In a ceremony at Ranau Fire Station, 20 Kinabalu Mountain Guides were appointed as Auxiliary Firefighters and designated as the founding members of MOSAR. The ceremony was officiated by the then Minister of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

MOSAR takes its place among Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department's specialist rescue units, which includes the Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (STORM) and the Multi Skill Team (MUST). Air Wing JBPM Air Wing () provides aerial firefighting, casualty evacuation, search and rescue, and reconnaissance support. Operating from bases in Subang, Miri, and Kota Kinabalu, the unit operates utility helicopters including the AgustaWestland AW139, AgustaWestland AW189, and Mil Mi-17.

Volunteer Fire Force Volunteer Fire Force () traces their history back to 1883. The modern Volunteer Fire Force was formed in 1987 and protected under Section 62 (1) (CA) Fire and Rescue Services Act 1988. Each Volunteer Fire Force has their own fire stations, fire trucks, and equipment, which are usually sponsored by local industry.

The primary role of the Volunteer Fire Force is to perform firefighting operations in their community. In case of fire emergencies in their community, the volunteers are the first there to control if not extinguish the fire. Their secondary role is to be the link between JBPM and their local community. In addition, they are entrusted by JBPM to spread awareness regarding to fire safety.

The Volunteer Fire Force train regularly in district fire stations so that they and their equipment are in good shape for fire emergencies. The volunteers can be easily identified by their yellow Firefighting Operations Dress.

Uniform JBPM start using 'Very Dark Corn Flower Blue' for their official duty uniform since 1997.

Rank +#RankAbbreviationRank (English)Grade SSM (Former)Grade SSPA (New)EpauletShoulder BoardCollar BadgePenguasa Bomba (Fire Superintendent)1Ketua Pesuruhjaya BombaKPjBChief Fire CommissionerJUSA A (Penguasa Bomba VU5) 2Pesuruhjaya BombaPjBFire CommissionerJUSA B (Penguasa Bomba VU6) 3Timbalan Pesuruhjaya BombaTPjBDeputy Fire CommissionerJUSA C (Penguasa Bomba VU7) 4Penolong Kanan Pesuruhjaya BombaPKPjB Senior Assistant Fire CommissionerKB54 KB14 5Penolong Pesuruhjaya BombaPPjBAssistant Fire CommissionerKB52KB13 6Penguasa Kanan Bomba IPgKB ISenior Fire Superintendent IKB48KB12 7Penguasa Kanan Bomba IIPgKB IISenior Fire Superintendent IIKB44 KB10 8Penguasa BombaPgBFire SuperintendentKB41KB9 Penolong Penguasa Bomba (Assistant Fire Superintendent)9Timbalan Penguasa Bomba ITPgB IDeputy Fire Superintendent IKB40 KB8 10Timbalan Penguasa Bomba IITPgB IIDeputy Fire Superintendent IIKB38 KB7 11Penolong Kanan Penguasa BombaPKPgBSenior Assistant Fire SuperintendentKB32 KB6 12Penolong Penguasa BombaPPgBAssistant Fire SuperintendentKB29 KB5 Pegawai Bomba (Fire Officer)13Pegawai Bomba Tinggi IPBT ILeading Fire Officer IKB28 KB4 14Pegawai Bomba Tinggi IIPBT IILeading Fire Officer IIKB26 (BASED ON INTERVIEW)KB3 (BASED ON INTERVIEW) 15Pegawai Bomba Tinggi IIPBT II (TBBK2)Leading Fire Officer IIKB26 (PROMOTION BASED ON TIME-BASED/13 YEARS)

• FROM KB22 (BASED ON INTERVIEW)KB3 (PROMOTION BASED ON TIME-BASED/13 YEARS)

• FROM KB2 (BASED ON INTERVIEW)16Pegawai Bomba Tinggi IIPBT II (TBBK2)Leading Fire Officer IIKB26 (PROMOTION BASED ON TIME-BASED/13 YEARS)

• FROM KB19 (HAKIKI)KB3 (PROMOTION BASED ON TIME-BASED/13 YEARS)

• FROM KB1 (HAKIKI)17Pegawai Bomba Kanan IPBK ISenior Fire Officer IKB22 (BASED ON INTERVIEW)KB2 (BASED ON INTERVIEW)18Pegawai Bomba Kanan IIPBK II (TBBK1)Senior Fire Officer IIKB22 (PROMOTION BASED ON TIME-BASED/13 YEARS)

• FROM KB19 (HAKIKI)KB2 (PROMOTION BASED ON TIME-BASED/13 YEARS)

• FROM KB1 (HAKIKI)19Pegawai BombaPBFire OfficerKB19 (3 YEARS OVER AND POSITION CONFIRMED)KB1 (3 YEARS OVER AND POSITION CONFIRMED)20Pegawai BombaPBFire OfficerKB19 (NEW APPOINTMENT)KB1 (NEW APPOINTMENT) Source :

1. List of Rank

2. Facebook

Medal of honour & Service bar +#RIBBON BARNAME OF STAR/ Medal1.Fire Service Distinguished Service Star2.Fire Service Star 3.Red Hero Star4.Firefighter Distinguished Service Medal5.Fire Service Medal 6.Firefighter Loyalty Medal 7.Firefighter Excellence Medal8.Fire Devotion Medal +#SERVICE RIBBON DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE 1.Service in Jongjakarta ( 2006 )2.Service in Leyte ( 2006 )3.Service in Riau ( 2005 )4.Service in Acheh ( 2004 )5.Service in Indonesia ( 1997 )6.30 years Service Bar7.20 years Service Bar 8.10 Years Service Bar 9.Position Confirmed

Based on PTKP Number 6 of 2024 - Regulations on the use of Service Ribbons and JBPM Service Medal Ribbons effective April 25, 2025.

Special operations Pasukan Khas Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia () is a term used by JBPM to its special trained firefighters.

To differentiate with regular firefighters, Special Force firefighters wear a unit patch on the right shoulder and use different styles of camouflage and operations uniform.

MUST Team, Smoke Jumpers (PASKUB), and STORM can be sent to overseas to help handling any disaster with STORM being the primary unit being sent.

Special Forces

Source:Fire & Rescue Department Malaysia STORM Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (; STORM) is a specialized urban search and rescue (USAR) unit established in 2011. STORM is designed to handle complex structural collapses, natural disasters, and heavy-equipment rescues both domestically and internationally under the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) framework.

Candidates undergo physical evaluation and specialized training in heavy structural shoring, concrete breaching, and technical rope rescue. HAZMAT & CBRNE Team Formed on 29 October 1992 based on the recommendation made by the Royal Commission of Enquiry on the Bright Sparklers Fireworks disaster. Initially, the team was known as Hazmat Team and in 2001 after the September 11 disaster the department decided to incorporate the CBRNe component to its name. This elite team are well trained to deal with both man made and toxic industrial disaster. They are part of training provider for Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and also the main rescue agency under the National Security Council Directive No.18 and 20in Malaysia. it was Hazardous Material Unit Team or commonly known as "HAZMAT" is a JBPM's Special Force trusted to handle with five types of hazards which is: Handling hazardous chemical spills. Decontaminate JBPM personnel that have been exposed to hazardous materials. Handling radioactive and radiation-emitting materials. Handling fire caused by hazardous materials. Handling Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Exposure (CBRNe) during wartime.

MUST Team

Multi-Skill Team (MUST) is an elite airborne team of JBPM. Formed on 11 September 1998, MUST is formed by combining all special trained firefighters into one team and supported by helicopters from JBPM Air Wing. MUST units are usually deployed whenever a certain special unit is unavailable in a certain area or when extra assistance is requested by other special units. MUST primarily serve as helicopter-borne firefighters mainly tasked with rescue involving airborne rappelling insertion.

Although MUST is primarily an elite airborne unit, MUST can conduct support operations to assist other divisions (that are unavailable or requested) such as: High Rise Rescue Water Rescue Major Road and Traffic Accident management HAZMAT Operations (Support unit) General Search and Rescue (basic) first responder Emergency Medical and Rescue (helicopter-borne extraction) Jungle Firefighting High Angle Rescue Air Rescue (rappel insertion) All MUST members are trained in helicopter-borne, emergency management in aircraft, jungle survival and sea-land navigation.

Elite JBPM Rescue Swimmer Unit is attached to MUST.

RIM

Rapid Intervention Motorcycle Team (RIM) was formed in 1999 to tackle problems of late arriving rescue caused by traffic jammed in the big city. With superbikes equipped with basic Firefighting and rescue equipment, RIM team can handle small scale fire and Road and Traffic Accident (RTA) without having traffic problems. During bigger scale of fire, RIM team will arrive early and assess the size and type of incident, building, and materials involve and victim if any. RIM team also will help control the traffic for the fire truck movement.

Water Rescue Unit