Over 150 staff and workers ‘ran for their lives’ when the fire alarm sounded at about 10.00am during a full-scale fire drill and evacuation exercise.

Smoke was billowing from the Albukhary building with a staff member ‘trapped’ in the fifth floor who had to be rescued by firefighters using a sky-lift.

A total of 15 personnel from the Perak Road and Beach Street Fire and Rescue Departments took part in the 30-minute fire drill. They were supported by three fire engines, including one equipped with a sky-lift.

Several members of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Civil Defence Department, Police, along with WOU’s very own Emergency Response Team (ERT) and First Aid Team (FAT) were on hand to offer assistance during the exercise.

The drill was held in conjunction with the Safety and Health Awareness Campaign in an effort to train university staff on the safety protocols during any emergency situations.

Earlier, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Operations) Dr Seah Soo Aun, who is also Chairman of the WOU Safety and Security Committee, officially opened the campaign. In his remarks, he urged staff from the main campus as well as from the other offices to take every opportunity to learn about safety, security and health. “For example, we have colleagues working at night at our Regional Offices and Regional Support Offices where security issues need to be addressed since it concerns their personal safety,” he added.

Meanwhile Rosliza Osman from NIOSH shared on safety at the workplace, especially on how to reduce workplace injuries, during the safety briefing for staff. WOU’s Chief Building Warden, Sandana Dass, explained about the comprehensive fire fighting system installed at the main campus.