The SAR Assistance Team Undergoes Health Checks Upon Arrival In Sibolga

Photo: Doc. Antara

JAKARTA - The Bantuan SAR team underwent a health check before entering the search and rescue operation for victims affected by floods and landslides, upon arrival at Sibolga Port, North Sumatra, using the Ganesha State Ship (KN).

The health checks were carried out by the Emergency Medic Team andELORks of the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) Jakarta, along with a joint medical team that took place above KN Ganesha, Saturday, December 6 morning.

The head of the Emergency Medic Team and RSCM Jakarta Umar said that the inspection was carried out to ensure that all personnel were ready to carry out operations that required high physical and mental stamina.

"In general, the personnel and the assistance volunteers were declared healthy, even though two team members were given medicine for high blood pressure," he said, quoted by Antara.

The medical team from RSCM consists of three personnel, including a doctor, plus two paramedics from Central Java, bringing a total of five people.

They were assigned not only to handle the health of the victims affected by the disaster, but also to provide support for SAR officers who work under high pressure in the field.

"We back up their health, victims and officers. Our emergency equipment, God willing, is sufficient," said Umar.

KN Ganesha (SAR-105) was manned by 16 crew members from the Jakarta SAR Office, and carried as many as 43 potential SAR, including four national reporters and five paramedics, 21 rescuers from the Jakarta SAR Office, Bandung, and Banten.

They previously departed from Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta, Tuesday (2/12), to Teluk Bayur Port, Padang, West Sumatra.

The shipping route crosses the Sunda Strait, Semangka Strait, and the west coast of Sumatra, then rises to the waters of Bengkulu to reach Padang.

The total distance on the track reaches about 540 nautical miles or more than 1,000 kilometers.

Arriving in Bayur Bay, the ship deployed a number of additional logistics assistance and SAR personnel from the Banten SAR Office to support search and rescue operations in a number of areas affected by flash floods and landslides.

After the loading and unloading process was completed as well as refueling, KN Ganesha resumed the voyage to Sibolga on Friday (5/12) at 08.58 WIB.

The arrival of ships in Sibolga marks the advanced stage of the distribution of Basarnas support to strengthen the emergency response SAR operation for floods and landslides in North Sumatra.

After docking, the personnel and logistics transported were immediately directed to strengthen the command posts and search sectors that still needed additional support including Sibolga City and Central Tapanuli Regency.