President Jokowi Underscores Four Measures to Bolster Indonesia’s Search, Rescue

President Jokowi inaugurates the 2022 National Working Meeting of the National Search and Rescue Agency online from the State Palace in Jakarta, Monday (02/21). (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretary/Jay)

Search and rescue services must be agile and fast to save every human life in any situation, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

“Anywhere, in any situation, every individual must be saved from risks of disaster and other emergencies. The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) must be present quickly to provide assistance. Every second matters to save a life,” the President said while inaugurating the 2022 National Working Meeting of Basarnas online from the State Palace in Jakarta, Monday (02/21).

On that occasion, the President underscored four measures to strengthen national search and rescue.

First, Basarnas must make more innovations by utilizing technology.

According to the President, search and rescue (SAR) technology has developed rapidly and become more advanced, allowing it to help project and analyze things faster and more accurately with more appropriate handling. To that end, SAR will be more effective to save more victims.

“Basarnas must not be left behind. Let me repeat it, Basarnas must not be left behind in technology. It must quickly adapt to the most recent SAR technological development,” he said.

Second, Basarnas must continue to improve the competence of its human resources.

“SAR human resources must possess high competence [and] relevant skills that meet the current needs, and the safety of the working SAR team must be ensured,” the President said.

Third, Basarnas must strengthen synergy and collaboration.

The Head of State stressed that SAR is an integrated work involving several elements, including ministries, Government institutions, the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), business entities, community organizations, and SAR reserves.

“Involve all elements of the people, all reserves, and put aside sectoral ego. Everyone must create synergy in humanitarian operations,” he said.

Fourth, Basarnas must strengthen prevention, mitigation, and anticipation. The President underscored the importance of massive SAR education and training for the people.

“We must build awareness so that the people care more and are agile to take preventive measures, especially in disaster-prone areas and emergency areas. Thus, SAR culture can be built and the people are resilient in emergencies,” he remarked.

On that occasion, the Head of State also wished Basarnas a happy golden anniversary on behalf of the people, the nation, and the state.

“I would like to extend my highest gratitude to the National Search and Rescue Agency for always being agile in helping people, helping our brothers and sisters who are facing disasters in various regions, in various disaster fields,” he said while reminding the audience that Indonesia has high risks of natural disasters, emergencies, accidents, and other life-threatening situations whose occurrence is hard to predict.

Therefore, the President underscored that alertness and vigilance are vital and that Indonesia needs a SAR team that is responsive, militant, and able to provide help fast and accurately in conditions that require special treatment of emergency response and life-threatening conditions.

“I hope this national working meeting bears innovative ideas that can be implemented and create important breakthroughs to improve the service of Basarnas to the people,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, Head of Basarnas Henri Alfiandi reported that in 2021, Basarnas has carried out 2,264 search and rescue operations, including operations for airplane and ship accidents, special treatments, disasters, and life-threatening situations.

“Basarnas continues to provide the best service effectively and efficiently with a measured management,” he said, adding that Basarnas also carries out disaster mitigation and builds disaster preparedness through SAR education and training as well as SAR reserve training.

Henri further said that Basarnas also carries out SAR training in collaboration with ministries, Government institutions, TNI, and Polri, training with neighboring countries, and international-scale training.

During the meeting, Henri symbolically gave two books to President Jokowi; the first book is titled “Golden Basarnas” and the second book is about search and rescue training for SAR reserves. (FID/UN) (DH/MUR)