Dairi to Build Command Centre Using Additional Fiscal Transfers to Anticipate Forest Fires
The Dairi Regency Government plans to build a Command Centre to serve as a coordination hub for disaster management. During an assistance session regarding the management of additional Regional Transfers (TKD) on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, the move received appreciation from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Task Force for the Acceleration of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Satgas PRR).
This requirement is deemed relevant as Dairi Regency faces threats from hydrometeorological disasters, including recurring forest and land fires in the Silalahi forest area. In recent years, fires have almost always occurred during the dry season. In July 2025, fires affected approximately 10 hectares of vegetation in Paropo Village. The previous year, fires destroyed around 52 hectares of land in Silalahi 2 and Silalahi 3 Villages. Previously, fires were also recorded burning about 14 hectares of land in 2021 and approximately 7 hectares of protected forest in Paropo Village in 2019.
Bupati of Dairi, Vickner Sinaga, revealed that the planned Command Centre is designed to be simple yet capable of supporting rapid cross-agency coordination during emergencies. Its function will serve as a centre for patrolling, identifying potential forest and land fire risks, and conducting prevention socialisation.
“It is sufficient to station firefighting equipment on-site and use containers that can be easily mobilised,” said Vicknes.
According to him, the success of disaster management is heavily determined by the speed of receiving information, making decisions, and deploying personnel and equipment to affected locations. “In disasters, the keyword is speed,” he added.
Consequently, he believes schools play a vital role in instilling a culture of vigilance from an early age through various educational activities and disaster simulations. “The word ‘alert’ must be cultivated in schools,” asserted the Bupati, who was born in Sidikalang.
In addition to strengthening the command system, the Dairi Regency Government continues to undertake various mitigation efforts to reduce disaster risks. One such effort is a tree-planting movement in landslide-prone areas and water catchment zones. “We have planted 130,000 protective trees in our villages to avoid disasters,” said Vickner.
Fernando H. Siagian, Sub-director of Region I of the Regional Budget Planning Directorate under the Directorate General of Regional Financial Management at the Ministry of Home Affairs, noted that this disaster mitigation aligns with Circular Letter Number 900.1.3/1084/SJ regarding the Adjustment of Regional Transfers for the 2026 Fiscal Year in the Regional Budget (APBD) for Disaster-Affected Areas in the Provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
It was stated that in situations where no disaster is occurring, funds may be used for disaster management planning, risk reduction, prevention, integration into development planning, disaster risk analysis requirements, implementation and enforcement of spatial planning, education and training, and technical standard requirements for disaster management. In situations where there is potential for disaster, funds may be used for preparedness, early warning, and disaster mitigation.
However, Fernando reminded that strengthening preparedness is not only achieved through the construction of supporting facilities or command systems, but also through increasing community capacity so that they understand the steps to be taken when facing emergency situations.
Therefore, the education sector is considered a crucial instrument for building a culture of disaster awareness from an early age. Through the utilisation of education budgets, the Dairi Regency Government has the scope to integrate disaster-related material into schools.
“The education budget is mandatory, allocated at 20 per cent. This is already law. So, we just need to convey this to the Education Office regarding the disaster theme,” said Fernando.
According to him, disaster education aims not only to increase students’ knowledge but also to form a culture of vigilance so that the community has the ability to respond to disasters quickly and accurately during emergencies.
The Dairi Regency Government’s initiative, supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Satgas PRR, aligns with the message from Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, who requested all local governments to prepare for the impacts of El Niño at the peak of this year’s dry season, which could trigger forest fires and water crises.
“BNPB cannot work alone; it needs support from all regions and all forces. Involve village heads to carry out prevention so that fires do not occur and, if they do arise, can be handled immediately,” said Tito on Monday, 29 June 2026.
The assistance session, held at the Dairi Regent’s Residence, was attended by officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Satgas PRR, and regional agencies. Also present were the Secretary of the Directorate General of Regional Financial Management, Maurits Panjaitan, and the Media Coordinator of the Satgas PRR National Post, Kastorius Sinaga.