Management of forest and land fires cannot be done partially or with sectoral egos, as disasters often occur beyond provincial and district and city administrative boundariesJakarta (ANTARA) - Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian has instructed regional heads across Indonesia to be ready to deal with potential forest and land fires this year.
As quoted from a press release received here on Tuesday, Director General of Regional Administration Development Safrizal Z. A. stated that the instruction was published by the minister in the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs (Inmendagri) Number 1 of 2023 concerning Regional Government Preparedness in the Implementation of Forest and Land Fire Disaster Management.
The instruction emphasizes the importance of the active role of local governments, especially governors, district heads, and mayors, as leaders of the Forest and Land Fire Task Force, to be ready to handle potential forest and land fires by involving all components in the region, including the community.
"Management of forest and land fires cannot be done partially or with sectoral egos, as disasters often occur beyond provincial and district and city administrative boundaries," Safrizal pointed out.
"Therefore, intensive coordination by the regional government with ministries/agencies and the ranks of the regional leadership coordination forum (forkopimda) and community participation as the basis is absolutely necessary," Safrizal remarked.
He noted that the instructions contain anticipatory steps that can be taken by regional governments, so that they can mitigate disaster risks at the earliest.
"This instruction has drawn up systematic steps, starting from prevention efforts to countermeasures," he affirmed.
"Therefore, joint patrols need to be carried out together to prevent and monitor hotspots by utilizing satellite technology and conducting field inspections. Increase outreach, counseling, and campaigns against clearing land by burning," he emphasized.
Safrizal said the home affairs minister had also urged regional heads to immediately activate forest and land fire disaster posts in provinces and districts and cities if emergency alert status for forest and land fires was determined.
Through this instruction, Minister of Home Affairs also called on regional heads to ensure optimal availability of regional budget allocations for the prevention and management of forest and land fires.
Safrizal advised all regional heads to commit to increasing community empowerment in preventing and controlling forest and land fires through optimizing the formation and active role of Volunteer Firefighters (Redkar).
"Redkar is a community-based social organization that voluntarily participates in realizing environmental resilience from fire hazards, including forest and land fires," he stated.
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Translator: Tri Meilani Ameliya, Katriana
Editor: Sri Haryati
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