The Head Of Central Java BPBD Calls Handling Hoax News In The Middle Of A Disaster Is An Important Moment To Be Addressed Immediately

Central Java Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) evacuate flood victims/Photo: Doc. Central Java Police

SEMARANG - A number of disasters in Central Java imply distinct impressions and lessons for the Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Central Java Province, Bergas Catursasi Penanggungan.

According to him, the moment of disaster management cannot be separated from hoaxes circulating on social media. This misleading information often causes panic among residents affected by disasters.

"Misleading news or information is often confusing, and we often have to clarify and clarify this to the public," said Bergas during an interview, Monday, January 16.

According to him, handling hoaxes in the midst of a disaster is crucial so that people remain calm in the face of disaster.

"Fortunately we have officers from the police who often provide correct information to residents who have been hit by a disaster. If it is officers who convey information, the public will believe it. Of course this is done in synergy with other agencies," he said.

While collaborating with the Central Java Regional Police, Bergas admitted that he was impressed by the organized and fast way the police handled the disaster. Coordination with other agencies is also carried out properly without overlapping

"The Polda team divided the tasks in an orderly manner, which one made an appeal to the public, which one carried out the evacuation and so on. The facilities used were not only modern but also effective," he added.

He revealed that he just found out that drums are very helpful in dealing with floods, after Brimob personnel demonstrated them while transporting residents who were caught in the flood.

"In fact it can. Drums are assembled and combined to replace rubber boats so that they can be used for evacuating residents. This is what the public needs to know that a simple tool can be an effective tool for dealing with floods," he said

Personally, Bergas gave a thumbs up for the Central Java Police's participation in disaster management. He took the example of handling floods in Semarang, which cannot be separated from the role of Polri personnel, especially Mobile Brigade and Polair.

"Floods in several locations in Semarang, police including Brimob and police officers immediately actively went down to the location. They came not only with personnel but with complete equipment," he closed.

I was so amazed by the police's action in dealing with the flood disaster in Semarang, Bergas conveyed this to BPBD units at the district level.

"I convey to my friends, the police immediately descended on every flood disaster location in Semarang. They are very active in helping residents and that is very cool," he said.