UNS — As an effort to handle forest and land fires (Karhutla), the Technical Management Unit for Forestry Education and Training (UPT PPK) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta hosted a fire extinguishing simulation at Special Purpose Forest Area (KHDTK) Gunung Bromo UNS, Friday (17/9/2021). The simulation was carried out after the inauguration of the Masyarakat Peduli Api (MPA) Singo Serang. The participants of the event are the surrounding community incorporated in MPA, Forestry Service for Region X Surakarta, Perum Perhutani Surakarta, Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Karanganyar, Firefighter (Damkar) in Karanganyar and Surakarta, and Student Activity Unit (UKM) UNS Scout and Student Regiments (Menwa). The Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation Affairs UNS, Prof. Kuncoro Diharjo, also attending the simulation.
Prof. Kuncoro states that the simulation is designed in a natural manner to observe the communities and participants’ responses. “Actually, we did not inform the participants that there will be a simulation; only a few of them know. The objective is to know their initial response to the occurence of a forest fire. Even the security staff, some of them do not know about the simulation,” said Prof. Kuncoro.
The simulation was started with fire from used tires in an empty hut in the middle of the forest. Upon knowing the fire, the designated person should seek for community’s help. Afterward, the process of extinguishing the fire is carried out by taking water and a hose to the location of the fire. Several fire trucks from Surakarta and Karanganyar firefighters and an ambulance were brought to the site. This aims to make the simulation seems natural.
“The traveling time from Surakarta and Karanganyar Fire Department is considered to estimate the time of arrival because the nearest fire station is located in Karanganyar and Solo,” said Prof. Kuncoro.
Through this simulation, the community can understand the procedures in extinguishing forest and land fire using water, light fire extinguisher (apar), and water tank or water hose. After the simulation ends, an evaluation is conducted. It is expected that the community can be more responsive toward forest and land fires and initiates independent fire extinguishing efforts while waiting for the firefighters. Humas UNS
Reporter: Bayu Aji Prasetya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti