Around 120 residents of Duri Utara Subdistrict, Tambora, West Jakarta, took part in a fire response and evacuation simulation at the SDN 1-6 Duri Utara school grounds on Tuesday (18/8). The Gerakan Warga Cegah Kebakaran, or Community Fire Prevention Movement, was attended by West Jakarta Mayor Iin Mutmainah and aimed to educate residents about fire hazards, prevention, and early response. Iin said Duri Utara was selected because it is a densely populated area with one of the highest numbers of reported fires. She also noted that hot weather conditions, which are expected to continue until around October or November, could increase the risk of fires.
Iin emphasized that fire prevention requires residents to understand potential hazards in their surroundings and respond quickly when incidents occur. She called for the simulation to become part of a broader community movement involving residents and local authorities. According to her, stronger cooperation between all parties is essential to reduce the number of fires and prevent incidents from escalating. The initiative is also expected to strengthen public awareness of early intervention.
Head of the West Jakarta Fire and Rescue Sub-Department, Suheri, said there are still gaps in the availability of fire prevention and response infrastructure. These include fire stations, portable fire extinguishers, independent hydrants, adequate water sources, and community preparedness. So far, 449 portable fire extinguishers have been distributed to 44 neighborhood units in Tambora. Another 1,264 independently funded extinguishers have also been provided through community contributions and support from PLN, Djarum Foundation, and Yayasan Gunarita.
This year, Tambora is set to receive another 142 portable fire extinguishers, including 18 for Duri Utara, while volunteer training will be conducted in four subdistricts. Suheri said 79 of Tambora’s 96 neighborhood units have received fire prevention education, with the remaining areas to be covered gradually. Authorities hope the program will strengthen community preparedness, improve prevention efforts, and shorten the initial response time when fires occur.
Alexander Jason – Redaksi
