TUMPAT, The Fire and Rescue Department in Kelantan has requested a fire and rescue helicopter be stationed in the state to prepare for the Northeast monsoon season due November. Its director Zainal Madasin said this measure is necessary as Kelantan typically experiences more severe flooding compared to other states. He said the department's helicopter is currently stationed in Wakaf Tapai, Terengganu, for use across the East Coast states. 'We have proposed to headquarters that this asset be stationed in Kelantan during the monsoon season and located at our base in Tunjong. 'This is based on past experiences, particularly the 2014 floods, which required helicopter support for evacuating flood victims from remote areas and transporting patients for emergency medical care,' he told reporters after attending a fire safety campaign and community-based training programme here today. He also said the Kelantan fire department will be freezing leave for its 1,300 officers and personnel starting next month follow ing the Meteorological Department's announcement that the monsoon transition phase is expected to begin on Sept 24. Zainal said the department would also seek logistical and personnel support from other states if necessary, while maintaining close cooperation with other agencies such as the police and the Civil Defence Force. Source: BERNAMA News Agency