SANDAKAN: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) completed a bilateral Medical First Responder (MFR) Exercise with the Special Operations Forces Liaison Element (SOFLE) and Civil Military Support Element (CSME) from the United States Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. The exercise was held from Sept 14 to 18.
The closing ceremony was officiated by Brigadier General Khairuddin Zakaria, representing the ESSCOM Commander, together with Captain James Blackburn, representative and chief instructor from the United States Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Civil-Military Support Element, US Special Forces (CMSE-SF).
Also present were senior ESSCOM officers and representatives from the Sabah Marine Police, the 15th Battalion of the General Operations Force (GOF), the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, the Malaysian Civil Defence Force, Sandakan Hospital, and St John Ambulance Malaysia.
The exercise involved 30 officers and personnel from ESSCOM and the participating agencies, including 11 SOFLE and CSME facilitators. It was held at the District Police Headquarters and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Sandakan.
Its objectives were to enhance readiness, knowledge and experience, particularly in emergency risk management involving natural disaster and humanitarian assistance scenarios, through both theory and practical training. The exercise also aimed to strengthen coordination between ESSCOM and the security, enforcement, medical, statutory and non-governmental bodies operating in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone).
Overall, the joint exercise was successfully conducted in accordance with the terms of reference set by both parties. The programme also contributed indirectly to strengthening relations and security cooperation between Malaysia and the United States. It is hoped that similar programmes will continue in the future. – James Leong
Some of the participants of the bilateral Medical First Responder (MFR) Exercise in Sandakan.
