"From today onwards, we are ready to broadcast live SAR operations for disaster victims, not only natural disasters but also non-natural disasters, such as transportation accidents, in keeping with the rules," Basarnas head Kusworo informed on Friday.
He said that live broadcasts of SAR operations can be accessed by the public through several Internet-based information channels and Basarnas' official social media account, Quick Action TV.
Kusworo added that the SAR and evacuation operation for victims of the Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki eruption in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) was the first to be broadcast live by the agency.
He assured that the personnel at 43 SAR offices in Indonesia are competent in capturing visuals using drone cameras and have sound reporting skills.
Kusworo also instructed the heads of all SAR Offices to fly drones at least twice a month, recording the current conditions of disaster-prone areas or areas affected by disasters, outside the SAR operation agenda.
He expressed the hope that the live broadcast program will provide clarity on conditions at disaster locations. In addition, the efforts carried out by the SAR team can be used as a learning medium by the community in disaster-prone areas, he added.
"We also hope the live broadcast program can provide peace of mind to the community, especially for those whose family members are missing in the disaster," Kusworo said.
He added that a number of people have asked for SAR live broadcast operations to find missing family members, including a victim of a cold lava flood from Mount Marapi in West Sumatra.
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Translator: M. Riezko Bima, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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