According to Head of the Maritime Potential Service of the Indonesian Navy, Commodore Suradi Agung Slamet, here on Thursday, the training program is routinely implemented by the Navy on an annual basis.
Slamet noted that the Maritime Potential Service prioritizes disaster-prone areas for the program.
He explained that the activity aims to make people aware of honing their own abilities, preparedness, vigilance, and responsiveness to disaster events by immediately preparing tools, saving themselves from the risk of violent disasters, as well as facing natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunamis in coastal areas.
The Navy viewed that the people's understanding of disaster threats is still low and disaster-aware behaviors are still not applied in their daily lives, according to Slamet.
Hence, this matter became a cause for concern for the Navy, as an effort to realize the goal of empowering the sea defense area in line with the perspective of the people's interests.
In addition, Commodore Slamet expressed hope that the training program would offer an understanding to the community about the first steps they must take when a disaster occurs, with this anticipatory step against disaster expected to reduce the number of casualties.
Slamet elaborated that the materials taught in the training comprised knowledge on earthquake and tsunami early warning systems, handling of victims of earthquake and tsunami, a disaster emergency handling command system, and a mechanism for handling vulnerable groups.
Moreover, the material covered persons with disabilities and evacuees, handling livestock in earthquake- and tsunami-prone areas, disaster preparedness management, and procedures for self-evaluation.
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Translator: Tri A, Kenzu T
Editor: Suharto
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