Fluency in Mandarin helps fireman saves lives

Little did the 22-year-old realise that his mastery of the language, after studying at SJK(C) Chung Hwa in Tawau, Sabah, would come in handy in dissuading a Chinese man from jumping off a building to commit suicide last Sept 8.

"I was tasked with communicating with the man (in Mandarin) and to persuade him using psychology and engage him in conversation.

"We also gave him water and cigarettes to calm him before rescuing him," he told Bernama when recounting the anxious moments he and other firemen experienced in the operation to rescue the man.

According to the eldest of three siblings, who has been a fireman for three years, other than his siblings, many of his relatives also went to Chinese schools.

Mohd Fariszuan and his colleague, Al-Hakim Ismail, 23, were met after receiving awards of appreciation from the Malaysian Fire Protection Association president, Teh Khay Leong, here.

Mohd Fariszuan said, on that day, the man had been standing on a ledge on the 15th floor of the Seri Sarawak flat in Jalan Kenangan here. It was around 4pm.

A Fire and Rescue team with two fire engines from the Pudu and Hang Tuah stations sped to the location after receiving a call from a member of the public. The man was saved at 5.20pm.

A video on the team's success went viral on Facebook and WhatsApp.

When asked how he was able to rescue the man in a tight space during the incident, Mohd Fariszuan said he only fell back on his training as a fireman.

"A fireman has to be calm and professional when faced with a tense situation as we work as a team," he said.

Meanwhile, for Al-Hakim of Kuala Krai, Kelantan, it was the first time he had encountered such a situation after being posted at the Pudu Fire and Rescue Station three years ago.

The 10th of 11 siblings said, it was very difficult because they could not place an air bag or net at the base of the building due to the condition and shape of the building.