The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) recorded that more than 5,000 people in Indonesia's various regions participated in search and rescue (SAR) training throughout 2025, as an effort to strengthen community-based disaster preparedness.
In a hearing with Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) in Jakarta on Wednesday, Basarnas Chief Secretary Abdul Haris stated that the training was conducted in several cities, including Medan, Jakarta, Pontianak, Kendari, Lampung, Makassar, Palembang, Pekanbaru, and Maumere.
"This SAR training is important because not all locations can be reached quickly by Basarnas. The presence of trained communities can be the frontliners," he said.
Furthermore, Basarnas also implemented the SAR Goes to School program in 26 schools with 4,594 students to create awareness of preparedness from an early age.
Internal staff development was also carried out through functional position competency tests, online and offline training, and the development of technical guidelines for rescuer competency development.
In the first semester of 2025, 764 people participated in the dissemination of search and rescue functional positions, including SAR competency tests.
"Human resources are the spearhead of successful operations. Without trained rescuers and a resilient community, it is difficult to achieve operational standards of speed, accuracy, and safety," he said.
He emphasized that Basarnas is committed to strengthening human resource capacity both internally and externally to reduce the risk of loss of life during disasters.
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Translator: M Riezko Bima Elko Prasetyo, Martha Herlinawati Si
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
