Firefighters are often associated with battling flames and responding to road crashes, but their duties increasingly extend to some of the most unusual rescue situations imaginable.
From removing rings stuck on sensitive body parts to freeing children trapped inside cooking pots, the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) is regularly called upon to handle incidents requiring patience, precision and compassion.
JBPM director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad said the department carried out 72,977 special rescue operations nationwide last year, an increase of 10.1 per cent from 66,299 cases recorded in 2024.
He said 31,965 special rescue incidents were recorded between January and June last year alone, averaging about 177 cases each day. The growing number of calls, he said, reflected greater public awareness of emergency services, urban development and the increasingly diverse nature of rescue work.
Among the more delicate cases are incidents involving metal rings or other objects becoming stuck around a man’s genitalia. Nor Hisham said firefighters must work with extreme care, using specialised ring cutters while continuously cooling the affected area with running water to minimise heat and prevent further injury.
Children trapped in cooking pots, plastic chairs or metal grilles also form part of the department’s unusual rescue workload. In such situations, firefighters must first calm frightened children before using hydraulic rescue equipment to carefully remove the objects without causing additional harm.
However, special rescue operations cover a much broader range of emergencies. Humanitarian assistance made up the largest category last year, with 57,957 cases, followed by 5,927 natural disaster incidents, 4,667 building and structural emergencies, 3,448 hazardous materials spills and leaks, and 978 search-and-rescue operations.
Firefighters are also frequently called to assist hospitals with patients suffering from severe obesity. Some patients weigh more than 200kg and require assistance to be moved from upper-floor homes without lifts, making the operation particularly challenging.
Nor Hisham said reinforced stretchers often have to be carefully manoeuvred through narrow staircases, requiring close coordination between firefighters, medical personnel and family members to protect both the patient and rescuers.
Other incidents have involved people getting their hands trapped inside toilet bowls or food-processing machinery. In these cases, firefighters may have to dismantle porcelain fixtures or machine components piece by piece to free victims while avoiding further injuries.
One unusual rescue in 2023 involved an adult woman who became stuck in a children’s playground swing. Although the technical part of the rescue was relatively straightforward, firefighters also had to protect the woman’s dignity as members of the public gathered and some attempted to record the incident.
Nor Hisham said firefighters handled the situation professionally while ensuring the victim’s privacy was respected, highlighting that rescue work is not only about technical skills but also compassion and sensitivity.
To deal with the expanding workload, JBPM maintains various specialised resources, including hydraulic rescue equipment, hazardous materials detection systems, rescue boats, confined-space rescue equipment, drones, specialised emergency vehicles and communications systems.
Despite the increase in special rescue calls, Nor Hisham stressed that the department’s ability to respond to fires and major emergencies remains unaffected. Operational readiness is maintained through strategic deployment of personnel and assets, continuous monitoring and prioritisation based on the level of risk.
The department also recorded 156 false or non-actionable emergency calls involving special rescue cases from 2024 through June this year. Of these, 63 were recorded in 2024, 78 last year and another 15 during the first six months of this year.
Nor Hisham urged the public to use the 999 emergency line responsibly and provide accurate information, including the exact location, nature of the incident and condition of victims, so genuine emergencies can receive prompt assistance.
While some rescue calls may appear unusual, he stressed that every case is handled with the same level of urgency and professionalism. Each incident brings its own challenges, often requiring firefighters to combine technical expertise with empathy when dealing with victims who may be frightened, embarrassed or in pain.
