[6] Following the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in March 2014, the FRDM restructured the existing STORM unit to include crashed aircraft search and rescue among its roles.
In missions related to USAR, STORM firefighters, Civil Defense Force's Special Rescue Team (PASPA), and Special Malaysian Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team's (SMART) USAR technicians will cooperate, assisted by other units and agencies.
SMART will install sensors and alarms, while STORM firefighters will enter the collapsed building to rescue trapped individuals.
Because of the higher concentration of high-rise buildings in West Malaysia at the time, their field of operations was limited to that region.
[6][7][20][21] STORM is responsible for the FRDM's Pusat Kecemerlangan Runtuhan Struktur dan Tanah Runtuh (English: Centre of Excellence for Structural Collapse and Landslides), a training facility for USAR operations.
STORM is also in charge of training the MOCSAR, an elite unit composed of auxiliary firefighters (Malay: Pegawai Bomba Bantuan – PBB) specialising in mountain and cave rescue in Sarawak.
The STORM's shoulder patch comprises crossed fire axes, a tactical dagger, a figure 8 descent control device, a ribbon with the phrase "Pantas dan Berani" (English: Swift and daring) and a lightning bolt.
They are trained to operate and survive in a variety of environments, including cities, jungles, swamps, mountains, seas and rivers.
[27][11] Also known as Pemilihan Pasukan Special Tactical Operation Rescue Malaysia in Malay, the STORM selection program lasts two days and is held at a designated fire station.
In 2018, the government is planning to give an allowance to STORM firefighters due to their harsh work of nature and training.
[36] As part of this transition, MUST firefighters are receiving additional urban search and rescue (USAR) training to align with STORM’s operations.
This integration aims to optimise FRDM’s manpower and improve efficiency in response to large-scale disaster needs in Malaysia.
After the integration, all STORM firefighters will be trained in helicopter operations and jungle fire suppression, expanding their abilities in diverse environments.
The integration will bring STORM’s strength to over 1,100 firefighters, making it comparable to a regiment-sized force by NATO standards.
[36] Senior Fire Officer II Abu Zarin bin Hussin was a renowned Malaysian firefighter and snake-catcher who gained international recognition after being mistakenly identified as a Thai man who married his pet king cobra.
[38] On 13 March 2018, while off duty, Abu Zarin responded to a call to catch a king cobra, accompanied by his wife.
[39][38][40][41] Senior Fire Officer II Safiq bin Mohamad is a YouTuber, STORM firefighter, and snake-handling instructor.
A member of the first batch trained by Abu Zarin Hussin, Safiq is renowned for his expertise in handling snakes.
Currently, he serves as the chief instructor for venomous animal and snake-handling courses at the Fire and Rescue Academy of Malaysia.
[42][43][44][45] Fire Officer Shafiq Mohamad, known as "Apit SW" on social media, is a notable member of the STORM.
Channel, Syahidi shares insights into STORM's operations, profiles of other FRDM units, and various personal interests.
One notable video, which highlighted an operation to rescue people trapped in a collapsed condominium site in Taman Desa, Kuala Lumpur in February 2020, was even featured on TV1's Selamat Pagi Malaysia program.