BNPB Orders BPBD To Prevent Forest And Land Fires Early, Here Are The Steps

Illustration of forest and land fires (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) ordered the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) to prevent forest and land fires (karhutla) early.

This is important because every year the territory of Indonesia often experiences forest and land fires, especially in a number of provinces of Sumatra and Kalimantan.

"The potential for low rainfall needs to be taken seriously by local governments at the provincial, district and city levels so that forest and land fires can be prevented early on," said the Acting Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communications Head, Abdul Muhari in a written statement quoted on Sunday, July 25. .

There are eight steps that must be taken by BPBD to prevent forest and land fires. First, BNPB asked BPBD to conduct field monitoring and review with relevant agencies to anticipate and deal with drought and potential forest and land fires.

Second, BPBD immediately took steps to strengthen the preparedness of the government and the community regarding the threat of drought in their area, including preparing logistics and equipment such as clean water tanks, providing water pumps in each sub-district and prioritizing areas affected by drought.

Plt. BNPB's Deputy for Prevention Harmensyah, in a letter addressed to the executive head of the provincial BPBD as of July 22, 2021, requested a water-saving campaign by harvesting rainwater and utilizing reusable household wastewater.

In carrying it out, Harmensyah asked BPBD to coordinate stakeholders regarding the preparation of alternative policies to meet water needs in the community through the preparation of boreholes and water distribution arrangements.

The next step is to strengthen the preparedness of the government and the community against the threat of forest and land fires in their respective areas.

"Preparedness can be done by monitoring through an early warning system related to forest and land fires that already exist, such as Sipalaga, Hot-spot Lapan, and the Karhutla Warning System," said Harmensyah.

In addition, preparedness can be carried out through checking and preparing fire fighting facilities and infrastructure. "Immediately repaired if there is a weakness or damage to the tools," he said.

Preparedness, continued Harmensyah, can also be done by coordinating with other policy makers as well as conducting socialization and education through electronic media.

"Including installing information boards prohibiting forest burning and the punishment, as well as preparing, updating and simulating contingency plans to face the threat of disasters and preparing operational plans by involving all local stakeholders including the TNI and Polri," he explained.

Fifth, the local government through BPBD prepares a helpdesk or call center as well as anticipatory reporting posts and quick services for dealing with drought and haze disasters caused by forest and land fires. In addition, local governments must also develop communication and information systems to disaster-prone locations.

Sixth, BPBD conducts socialization to the community by prioritizing health protocols, following the policy of Enforcing Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM), and continuing to carry out all government regulations related to accelerating the handling of COVID-19.

Seventh, Harmensyah asked BPBD to instruct policymakers to collect data on the number of COVID-19 patients, both asymptomatic and confirmed positive, as well as hospitals that are in a high risk zone for the threat of drought and smoke.

This aims to prepare a special evacuation place for People Without Symptoms (OTG) and confirmed so that they are separated from healthy communities.

Finally, BPBD is asked to coordinate disaster emergency management by contacting the BNPB PB Pusdalops. This can be done through telephone, facsimile, or Call Center 117 communication networks.