Making Earthquake Simulations In 25 NTT Schools, BPBD: Preparing Our Students For Disaster Response

NTT - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT) targets as many as 25 schools as targets for implementing earthquake response simulations for local provincial students.

"This disaster response simulation is to prepare our students who are earthquake-response considering that NTT is an earthquake-prone area," said Head of BPBD NTT Province Ambrosius Kodo, Monday, May 29, as quoted by Antara.

He conveyed this related to efforts to educate earthquake response for students in NTT.

Ambrosius explained that 25 schools that were targeted for simulated activities that used the support of the General Allocation Fund (DAU) specific grant spread over Kupang City and Kupang Regency.

The implementation of the simulation, he said, had started to run in several schools such as SMA Negeri 2 Kupang City, SMK Negeri 2 Kupang City, SMA Negeri 9 Kupang City, SMAK Giovanni, SMA Kristen Citra Bangsa, SMK Negeri 5 Kupang City and SMK Muhammadiyah Kupang.

He explained, in the simulation, students were taught to practice self-saving steps in the classroom when an earthquake occurred and how to evacuate victims.

Furthermore, Ambrosius said that his party continues to encourage management of individual-based disaster management. Everyone, he said, is expected to care about their own safety because they live in NTT which is prone to disasters.

He added that the NTT region itself is surrounded by two potential earthquake sources, namely a back arc thrust in the northern part of Flores Island and the Sumba megathrust segment.

Therefore, he said, his party started schools for the implementation of disaster response simulations to support teaching and learning activities.

"Students are also familiar with information technology so that it is hoped that when they are equipped with disaster response knowledge, they can become agents to socialize in their family, friends, and residents in their environment," he said.