Training of the Community-Based Disaster Management Group with Pebuahan Residents
Approximately 32 residents from three neighborhood associations (Rukun Tetangga or RT) in Banjar Pebuahan, Banyubiru Village, Negara Sub-district, Jembrana, participated in disaster preparedness training to face high waves. The awareness of residents about the safety of one another is considered more important in order to reduce disaster risks, including fatalities. Therefore, together with the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) of Jembrana Regency, we organized training and simulations for high wave disasters with the residents of Pebuahan. This activity took place in the area of Sumiran’s house, the head of RT 08, from October 11 to 13, 2023.
First aid is a mandatory aspect of disaster preparedness. This practice is the basis for providing assistance to individuals in need of medical attention. In other words, a person’s ability to provide assistance is crucial to ensure that victims do not worsen during the rescue.
“In the case of first aid, we need to ensure that the victim is safe. So when you encounter a victim, you need to check first. Is the victim still breathing or not? How do you check? Yes, check the pulse at the wrist or between the neck and the lower jaw,” said Sassu, the Secretary of PMI Jembrana Regency, who served as the speaker during the training.
Residents also had the opportunity to apply bandages to the hands and feet of other residents. This activity was a trial of first aid for individuals with injuries or broken bones.
“I’m glad to participate in this training; I’ve never done it before. I gained a lot of new knowledge. I learned what to do when there is a disaster. Now, I know what I did yesterday, and what I need to do to help my neighbors tomorrow,” said Umi Rofikoh, one of the residents involved in the training.
The residents eagerly participated in the training, which began at 2:00 PM local time. First aid training continued into the evening with a session on rescuing victims who needed to be lifted. In this practice, the victims were considered unconscious and needed to be evacuated using stretchers.
After the training with PMI Jembrana Regency, residents formed five teams within the Community-Based Disaster Management (KMPB). Each team was responsible for Early Warning, Shelter, Public Kitchen, Command Post & Logistics, and Evacuation.
October 13, 2023: Striving for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Simulation Begins
Extreme weather forecasts were reported in various media outlets, making it a trending topic on Instagram and TikTok. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) stated that the potential for extreme weather would persist for the coming week, from October 15 to 21, 2022.
“The potential for extreme weather can still occur in almost all parts of Indonesia because the atmospheric conditions in Indonesia are still quite complex and dynamic for the next week, influenced by global, regional, or local atmospheric phenomena,” BMKG predicted.
Furthermore, BMKG also reported the potential for high waves in Indonesian waters from October 15 to 21, 2022. High waves (2.5 – 4.0 meters) were expected in 24 provinces, including all provinces in Sumatra, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara, as well as Banten, West Java, DKI Jakarta, Central Java, East Java, West Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, North Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, and Papua.
BMKG also warned of the potential for high waves in Indonesian waters from October 15 to 21, 2022. High waves (2.5 – 4.0 meters) were expected in northern Natuna Sea, waters near Natuna Islands, north of Sabang, west of Aceh, west of Nias Islands, waters near Enggano Island – Bengkulu, west of Lampung, west of Sumatra in the Indian Ocean, the western and southern parts of the Sunda Strait, waters south of Banten to East Java, Bali-Lombok-Alas Strait in the south, waters south of Bali to Sumba Island, and the southern Indian Ocean from Banten to Sumba Island.
“A small part of Sumba Island and Kupang has not seen rain for more than 60 days. Therefore, we need to be alert to the potential for drought and land fires,”
Meanwhile, at Pebuahan Beach, the rain began at 2:30 PM local time, and its intensity increased. Residents shared news of the potential high waves in their area. This reminded them of the incident last July when dozens of fishing boats were damaged and sank. Some other residents recalled that their homes were affected by erosion and had to be relocated two or three times.
One mother quickly grabbed a bamboo gong and struck it as loudly as possible. Other residents followed suit, sounding the mobile loudspeaker in RT 05, RT 08, and RT 09.
Another mother came later, carrying a hand-cranked siren. She moved to an area near the beach but not far from residents’ homes. Her hand began to turn the crank on the right side of the siren. The crank turned faster, and the siren sounded, signaling residents to evacuate to a designated gathering point (field).
“Run! Everyone, run!” she shouted while turning the crank.
Residents left their homes, rushing to the evacuation site. They focused on establishing a health post and coordinating between teams. The Early Warning Team leader reported that the potential for high waves this time was quite serious.
Sumiran, the head of CDMG Banjar Pebuahan, urged all teams to start their respective tasks.
Sumiran, as the head of CDMG, is providing information to all teams
Meanwhile, the Evacuation Team had set up emergency tents, prepared public toilets, and provided clean water access. Simultaneously, the Command Post & Logistics Team established a post, prepared logistical support equipment, organized information data at the post, and readied logistics supplies.
The Evacuation Team began its operations. They searched for victims in each neighborhood association, provided first aid to those in need, and carried them on stretchers to the health post tent. The Command Post and Logistics Team received information that one young girl had suffered a severe injury from falling debris. The Evacuation Team immediately searched for her, found her in RT 05, provided first aid, performed triage, and carried her on a stretcher to the health post tent.
A young girl was struck by debris
The Evacuation Team began its operations. They searched for victims in each neighborhood association, provided first aid to those in need, and carried them on stretchers to the health post tent. The Command Post and Logistics Team received information that one young girl had suffered a severe injury from falling debris. The Evacuation Team immediately searched for her, found her in RT 05, provided first aid, performed triage, and carried her on a stretcher to the health post tent.
A resident arrived at the assembly point, reporting that her son was missing despite a search. Hearing this, the Evacuation Team resumed the search. Within 10 minutes, the boy was found with a broken leg and unconscious. He was transported to the health post tent in an ambulance for further treatment.
A young boy was successfully evacuated after losing consciousness
The Command Post and Logistics Team continued to update their data. The number of victims found so far was four individuals, including a 61-year-old elderly woman, two young boys around 12 years old, and a 10-year-old girl. Meanwhile, the Evacuation Team continued to search for victims at three locations, and the Common Kitchen Team prepared food for all residents in the disaster relief tent.
*
The High Wave Disaster Simulation was declared completed at 4:48 PM local time
This scenario depicted the initial occurrence of a tsunami in the High Wave Disaster Simulation in an effort to disaster risk reduction (DRR). The threat of high waves is a real concern for the residents of Pebuahan.
Simulation is not an activity to prevent disasters but is a solution to understand early warning signs, necessary actions, and how to behave when a disaster occurs. Solidarity is the key to the success of the Community-Based Disaster Management (CDMG) in saving lives and reducing damage when a real disaster occurs.
Mohamad Hilman, a resident who participated in the First Aid and Evacuation Team, agreed with this. He said that the tools used in the simulation and the victim rescue activities are inevitable when a disaster strikes.
“The simulation’s timing and what I did during the evacuation matched. I also saved several victims, including children and the elderly. Some fainted, while others were injured by falling debris. This activity is essential. It’s like preparing us. But hopefully, there won’t be floods or landslides due to extreme weather,” said the man who normally sells fish door-to-door.
Mohamad Hilman, with the Evacuation Team, saved an elderly woman
The potential for disaster in Pebuahan Beach is quite high. Putu Suryawan, the Coordinator of the Simulation Program at the IDEP Harmony Foundation, explained that abrasion on the beach posed a significant and serious threat.
“When high waves come, along with strong wave threats and the possibility of heavy rainfall leading to floods. Flooding occurred around October last year, and high waves also occurred a few months ago,” he emphasized.
The threat to Pebuahan Beach is ongoing and increasing year by year. Therefore, we are committed to assisting the Pebuahan community through disaster preparedness capacity-building programs. These efforts are also made possible with the support of external partners, including Octa.FX.
A group photo with the residents of Pebuahan after the simulation activity
Article & Photo: Nicolaus Sulistyo © IDEP Foundation
English 
Indonesian