Everybody needs a hero<\/p>\n
Anybody who watched documentaries on the Sept. 11, 2001 World
\nTrade Center tragedy must have been impressed by the
\nfirefighters' bravery. People undoubtedly learned how to fully
\nappreciate firefighters.<\/p>\n
Compared to the Sept. 11 outrage in New York, which killed
\nthousands of innocent people, the fire that killed one
\nfirefighter in Jakarta on Monday could be considered less of a
\ntragedy. The similarity is in the heroic story of the
\nfirefighters, who in Indonesia are considered part of the
\nunprestigious blue-collar class.<\/p>\n
Subandi, head of South Jakarta's Sector VI Tebet Fire
\nDepartment, was killed in a fire that destroyed 1,500 kiosks at
\nBlok M market, also in South Jakarta, on Monday. Subandi became
\ntrapped in the burning building after making sure that four of
\nhis men were safe from the thick smoke resulting from an
\nexplosion on the third floor of the market building.<\/p>\n
Subandi's death may have been no big deal to some people. It
\nis no secret that some firemen in Jakarta abuse their profession.
\nMany believe that firemen discriminate when fighting fires, such
\nas by responding to fire reports in upmarket residential areas
\nquicker than to fires in slums. The belief is that firemen
\nanticipate receiving money for their services from wealthier home
\nowners, whereas slum dwellers have little to give.<\/p>\n
Slum dwellers have on occasion complained that firemen hose
\ndown the walls and roofs of luxury houses adjacent to burning
\nshanties to prevent fire from spreading to the luxury houses,
\nupon requests from house owners who pay the firemen to protect
\ntheir property.<\/p>\n
It is claims such as this that have led many to dismiss
\nSubandi's death merely as an occupational hazard.<\/p>\n
There may be some who sincerely commiserate over Subandi's
\ndeath as they realize Subandi gave his best to his profession.
\nUnscrupulous firefighters are another matter.<\/p>\n
Subandi made the ultimate sacrifice in his job and was one
\npublic servant who illustrated noble dedication to his job.<\/p>\n
There should be proper appreciation for people like Subandi
\nwho make the capital city more livable.<\/p>\n
At a time when the country lacks people with true dedication,
\nSubandi could be considered a hero. Subandi made sure that all
\nhis subordinates escaped the fierce fire, succumbing to the thick
\nsmoke just seconds after his subordinates managed to escape the
\ninferno.<\/p>\n
Being a firefighter in Jakarta is rife with danger.<\/p>\n
Both Jakarta residents and the administration obviously lack
\nawareness of fire safety requirements. The more than 350 fires
\ntaking place between January and July this year indicate that
\npeople's awareness of fire safety requirements needs improvement.<\/p>\n
Not all tall buildings have proper fire safety systems,
\nincluding fire exits, aside from requirements that have to be met
\nby developers when constructing buildings. This indicts poor
\nenforcement of regulations.<\/p>\n
Markets belonging to city-owned market company PD Pasar Jaya
\nare among buildings with poor fire precautions. Fire exits are
\nturned into areas to do business at many markets. When a fire
\nbreaks out, it is difficult for traders to escape. That most fire
\nhydrants do not have adequate water is another reality.<\/p>\n
This all clearly shows the city administration's poor
\nattention to the fire department.<\/p>\n
The fire department is usually allotted only a small amount of
\nmoney by the administration for its regular budget. With very
\nlimited funds, the fire department finds it hard to repair and
\nmaintain its equipment.<\/p>\n
The fire department has around 150 old fire engines plus 30
\nladder trucks. Some of them are no longer operable and at least
\n15 of them are in poor condition. The head of Jakarta Fire
\nDepartment, Johny Pangaribuan, once said that ideally, the city
\nshould have 265 fire trucks.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Fire Department also lacks personnel. Sixty-five
\npercent of its 2,000 firefighters are over 45 years old, and 30
\npercent are over 50. Only 5 percent are between 20 and 35 years
\nold. Salary is another sore point. A senior firefighter is paid
\naround Rp 1 million per month.<\/p>\n
Subandi was just one of many firefighters working under such
\nconditions. He was 45 years old, about 20 years older than the
\nideal age for a firefighter.<\/p>\n
Subandi may not have been at his prime for such a tough job.
\nOr perhaps he was not really fit to be a fireman, on duty at the
\nBlok M fire, because, like his colleagues, he was just a civil
\nservant who was recruited by the city administration.<\/p>\n
No one will ever really know why he lost his life.<\/p>\n
In any case, the administration must acknowledge that Subandi
\nacted like a hero, who did his best for his city.<\/p>",
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