Basarnas and Bogor City Government conduct air medical evacuation drill
Bogor — The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) together with the Bogor City Government conducted an air medical evacuation simulation at Situ Gede, West Bogor District, Bogor City, West Java, on Tuesday to enhance preparedness in handling emergency situations.
The simulation, carried out by the Class A Search and Rescue Office Jakarta, involved one rescue helicopter HR-3606 operated by Basarnas’ Air Unit and three outboard-powered rubber boats to support the victim evacuation process.
In the exercise scenario, the joint team simulated handling of critical casualties caused by flash flooding in residential areas difficult to access. After receiving incident reports, the Bogor City Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) coordinated with Basarnas to deploy personnel and air units to accelerate victim search and evacuation.
Bogor Mayor Dedie A Rachim stated that the simulation exercise was conducted to ensure personnel preparedness in handling emergency situations, including air evacuation routes. “With Basarnas’ presence in Bogor and Lanud ATS, this becomes part of a unified force, synergy and inter-agency collaboration to ensure citizen safety. If anything occurs, response can be prepared well and quickly,” he said.
In the simulation, the team successfully evacuated three victims using different procedures. One victim was evacuated using a rubber boat from the incident location, whilst two other victims were lifted by helicopter operated by the Air Unit Commander for Search and Rescue Class A Jakarta, Lieutenant Colonel Pnb Resque Pambudi.
Head of the Class A Search and Rescue Office Jakarta Desiana Kartika Bahari stated the simulation was conducted as part of preparations for the 2026 Eid holiday alert period. “We conducted an air evacuation simulation using a helicopter with a scenario as if the incident was over water, whether in rivers, seas, or lakes. Therefore we cooperated with Bogor City Government to conduct this joint exercise, as we have the duty to remain on alert 24 hours daily,” she said.
According to Desiana, air evacuation is an important method to accelerate critical victim treatment, especially in locations difficult to access by land or water routes. She added that Basarnas’ air unit also has experience in rescue operations, including evacuating ship crew at sea when crew members are in critical condition.
The simulation was attended by Bogor City Government officials and regional stakeholders who gained understanding of air medical evacuation procedures in emergency situations.