UNS — The Coordinating Unit (Bakorlak) of Disaster Response SAR Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta commemorates its 36th Anniversary online through the Zoom Cloud Meeting on Sunday (22/8/2021). The commemoration ceremony was conducted simply and solemnly, attended by the Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, Bakorlak Disaster Response SAR UNS Commander, Gatot Sugiartono, M.H, university and faculty executive board, and all Bakorlak Disaster Response SAR UNS members. The SAR team also invited several honorary guests, including the Commander of Korem 074 Warastratama, Commander of Kodim Surakarta 0735, Kapolresta Surakarta, Commander of Kopassus Group Kandang Menjangan, and Commander of Airforce Base TNI AU Adi Soemarmo.
In his report to open the 36th Bakorlak Disaster Response SAR UNS Anniversary, Gatot Sugiartono, M.H mentioned that Bakorlak Disaster Response SAR UNS had been involved in 438 operations since its establishment on 17 August 1985 to 2021, including water, land, mountain, and sea accidents. Besides the reported operations, Bakorlak also has many other small operations that could not be reported. “But these small operations, we have not recorded them,” Gatot reported.
Gatot then reported all major operations performed by Bakorlak Disaster Response SAR UNS to the Rector and honorary guests. These operations are the evacuation of Garuda Indonesia B737-300 with flight number GA-421 that landed in Bengawan Solo river in 2002. Bakorlak SAR UNS was also involved in the evacuation of Lion Air JT-538 flight that slipped in Adi Soemarmo Airport in 2004. “We also participated in the Aceh Tsunami 2004 operation and Yogyakarta earthquake in 2006,” Gatot added.
Gatot explained that Bakorlak Disaster Response SAR UNS involvement in various operations is supported by its members’ and volunteers’ skills equipped by various internal and external team training. The training is an effort to ensure that all members and volunteers have reliable skills to help victims or deployed to the operation area.
“Training I of ’85 was preceded by training with SAR Gorila Central Java, then we got a Decree from Rector that SAR UNS is independent as Emergency SAR UNS by the late dr. Prakosa,” Gatot explained.
Following the report from Gatot Sugiartono, M.H, the Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho appreciated the role and spirits of Bakorlak Disaster Response SAR UNS members and volunteers to continue serving the community. He considers the team involvement in various operations a form of Bakorlak Disaster Response SAR UNS readiness to handle disasters or accidents anytime.
“All UNS management team appreciated and thanked (Bakorlak Disaster Response SAR UNS) for (its) activities in humanity, at national, and even during the pandemic, Bakorlak Disaster Response SAR UNS continue to be ready and serving,” Prof. Jamal stated.
In his remark, Prof. Jamal also reminded that in this 36th Anniversary, Bakorlak Disaster Response SAR UNS could take a role in disaster research and education through holistic work, including disaster mitigation, disaster technology development, disaster operational, and post-disaster handling. The Rector mentioned that this encouragement is based on UNS designation as Higher Education with Legal Entity (PTNBH) by the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi) based on the Government Decree (PP) Number 56 of 2020 on Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta as Higher Education with Legal Entity (PTNBH) on 6 October 2020.
Following this decision, UNS is demanded to improve its performance and require all its units to work together to achieve 8 Key Performance Indicators (IKU) of UNS. To support this effort, the SAR unit could perform several actions. “For example, developing technology research, disaster handling, disaster mitigation handling, disaster operation, and post-disaster handling,” Prof. Jamal stated.
Further, Prof. Jamal also mentioned that to support Bakorlak Disaster Response SAR UNS, UNS will establish a Center for Excellence (PUI) of Disaster Study. Prof. Jamal added that this plan is based on the numerous disasters that occur, which demand the planning stage to mitigate disasters. This PUI will follow its previous three PUIs: Javanology, Lithium Battery, and Center for Fintech and Banking UNS (UNS Fintech Center). The first step to establishing this center is taken by renovating the Bakorlak Disaster Response SAR UNS office in Jalan Kolonel Sutarto Nomor 150K, Jebres, Surakarta. Due to this renovation, currently, the unit operates from Building D UNS Student’s Dormitory in Jebres Subdistrict.
“We are building the Bakorlak Disaster Response SAR UNS. Currently, we hope that PUI Disaster Study will complete the existing three PUIs,” Prof. Jamal explained. Humas UNS
Reporter: Yefta Christopherus AS
Editor: Dwi Hastuti