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Good news for our local heroes! The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) will soon welcome 16 brand-new K9 dogs all the way from the UK this year.
JBPM Director-General Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad shared that the department is in the process of selecting Labrador Retrievers and Spanish Springer Spaniels — two breeds known to handle Malaysia's hot and humid weather really well.
Berita Harian reported that these new recruits will replace about half of the current K9 unit, where many of the dogs are now 10 to 12 years old (which is around 60 years old in human years!).
Image via Bernama/X
Image via Bernama/Malay Mail
Currently, JBPM has 34 working dogs, and this new batch will help keep their search-and-rescue operations sharp
Each new dog costs around RM150,000, bringing the total bill to RM2.4 million.
The National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) is covering the cost of four of the dogs, with JBPM funding the rest.
Image via PMO
This June, JBPM officers will be flying to the UK to personally check on the 4-month-old pups and start some early training with them
They will select the best 16 out of 20 offered to ensure only the most suitable ones join the team. If any dogs are deemed unsuitable, the UK suppliers will find replacements.
Now you might be wondering — why bring in dogs all the way from the UK?
It turns out that dogs bred and trained there have a long track record for excelling in search-and-rescue work, with proven bloodlines and specialised early training.
On top of that, breeds like Labradors and Springer Spaniels from the UK are known for being adaptable, obedient, and able to handle tropical climates — making them ideal for Malaysia's weather and mission needs.
Image via UNIT K-9 BOMBA (Facebook)
Currently, JBPM's K9 unit focuses on four key areas: search-and-rescue (SAR) operations in buildings, forests, and water, plus forensic investigations (Yes, some of these good boys are forensic experts too!).
As for the older dogs who are retiring, don't worry — they usually get to enjoy a comfy second life
According to Malay Mail, these senior dogs typically stay in the K9 Unit kennels, receiving 24/7 care as cherished members of law enforcement.
In other countries, these dogs are often adopted by their handlers, the officers they worked closely with, or others, allowing them to enjoy their golden years surrounded by familiar faces and plenty of love.
However, in Malaysia, the dogs remain in the unit for security reasons and can't be taken home by their handlers.
Image via Panggilan Pertiwi (Facebook)
On top of that, JBPM is also refreshing their equipment — replacing six vehicles for the K9 unit and upgrading 30 fire engines nationwide with an RM18 million budget, as reported by Bernama.
This exciting announcement was made during the Majlis Jalinan Mesra Aidilfitri at the Seremban 2 Fire and Rescue Station, attended by Nor Hisham himself and Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
Here's to seeing more hardworking furry heroes in action soon!
