PETALING JAYA, May 13 — From the burning heat to heavy rainfall, the Fire and Rescue Department is now faced with another challenge as La Nina kicks in.

However, the department is well versed with the difficulties ahead, having faced a similar situation during the end of 2014.

“There were serious floods then as well. We have gone through this before and we are prepared,” said Fire and Rescue Department deputy-general Datuk Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim.

He said the department was making plans to allocate assets and personnel in areas with high probability of floods.

“We will monitor the areas and transfer our assets accordingly to places that are more prone to severe floods. Our personnel will also be moved to assist in these areas,” he said.

“The Meteorological Department will give us the forecast days or weeks ahead for us to be prepared.”

Mohd Nor said the department would work closely with other government agencies, including the police and Welfare Department to establish a proper plan.

In Ipoh, the Perak Fire and Rescue Department is prepared to face the possible occurrence of transboundary haze.

State director Datuk Yahaya Madis said the department had learned valuable lessons from previous haze incidents.

Yahaya said the worst hot spell in Perak was in 2014, where several man-made fires contributed to hazy conditions.

“Our studies showed that many fires were caused by human activity and started out as smaller fires. They could have been controlled if we tackled them earlier,” he said at a blood donation drive organised in conjunction with the state-level World Firefighters’ Day yesterday.

“We will be more prepared this year by organising patrols to locate and put out small fires before they spread.”

On Wednesday, Natural Resource and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said Malaysia was expected to experience transboundary haze from June to October following a spell of hot and dry weather in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

Wan Junaidi had noted that the haze might be moderate, as the La Nina phenomenon — which would bring rain to some parts of the peninsula — was expected to occur at around the same time.

In the event of heavy rain, Yahaya also advised the public to be wary when visiting recreational areas near rivers or waterfalls.