Deputy DPRD Kaltara Asks For Procurement Of Hidran To Prevent Settlement Fires

Deputy Chairman of the North Kalimantan DPRD (Kaltara) Andi Hamzah (Between)

TANJUNG SELOR - Deputy Chairman of the North Kalimantan DPRD (Kaltara) Andi Hamzah asked the local government to hold hydrants as an effort to prevent residential fires that have hit the area during the dry season.

"We have summoned a number of parties regarding the fire prevention solution as early as possible," said Deputy Chairman of the North Kalimantan DPRD, Andi Hamzah in Tanjung Selor, Sunday.

The parties who were summoned to discuss this solution included the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), PLN, the Fire Department, Satpol PP, and other relevant agencies.

He said the fire from residential areas caused considerable material losses, even several incidents where there were fire victims. Based on police investigators' analysis, the residential fire was caused by a short circuit in electricity.

"That's why it is also necessary to involve PT. PLN in anticipating fire incidents, including public awareness also needs to be increased," he said.

He said that disaster is not power and is not expected by the community. But it can be prevented if all parties and systems run well. Therefore, according to him, it is important to talk about it again and find a joint solution so that the fire does not continue to repeat itself.

"In addition to provincial-level agencies, there is also a need for talks at the district/city level," he said as quoted by Antara.

He is of the view that one of the factors causing the slow extinguishing process is access to difficult locations.

He gave an example, twice the fire incident in the coastal area of Tarakan City, as evidence of the difficulty of the fire fleet accessing the location. As a result, the extinguishing process was hampered, causing it to scorched many houses.

"The solution can be built with water hydrants in densely populated areas. How are the obstacles, what solutions will be discussed in the meeting," said Andi Hamzah.

Another cause, according to him, is the confusion of the electricity network in coastal areas or densely populated areas. So PT. PLN needs to take steps related to network systems or electricity connections in residential areas.

The BPBD of North Kalimantan Province noted that in 2022 there were 53 building fires or contributed 17 percent of the total disaster.

In detail, seven building fires in Tarakan City, 19 times in Bulungan Regency, eight times Malinau Regency, six times in Tana Tidung Regency, and 13 times in Nunukan Regency.