Denpasar Red Cross Targets 15-Minute Response for Accident Victims
The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) of Denpasar City held an ambulance crew training simulation at its office on Jalan Imam Bonjol on Monday (20 July 2026). The exercise was aimed at improving officers’ ability to evacuate accident victims, with response times targeted at a maximum of 15 minutes.
“In the simulation, the maximum time needed by the team to travel from the office to the scene of an incident was 15 minutes. In the field, our target is to be even faster than that, so that victims can receive first aid before being referred to hospital,” explained I Made Yoga Adi Kusuma, Head of Communications at PMI Denpasar City.
PMI Denpasar has also strengthened its operational capacity by bringing in two new ambulances to operate on a full 24-hour basis. The fleet is crewed by 12 standby officers divided into four teams.
The training ran from 13 to 20 July, covering everything from theoretical study to individual hands-on practice. This included the treatment of injured victims, bone fractures, and simulations of evacuating traffic accident victims trapped inside vehicles.
“There are competent trainers under the auspices of PMI Bali Province to ensure that the standard of medical treatment is at the highest level,” said Yoga.
He acknowledged that PMI Denpasar City can currently only provide services in West Denpasar. “For the rest, we collaborate with Denpasar BPBD officers and the nearest community health centres so that victims can still be treated promptly without a long wait. But if a case falls within or beyond our reach outside the area, PMI stands ready to deploy,” said Yoga.
He stressed that the basic facilities held by PMI Denpasar City remain adequate and ready for use. However, there are still constraints, particularly regarding advanced emergency medical equipment that is highly critical, namely the automated external defibrillator (AED).
“For handling respiratory or cardiac arrest on the way to hospital or at a patient’s home, we do not yet have an AED. The management of PMI Denpasar City is now working hard and continuing to coordinate with the Denpasar City Government so that the procurement of this sophisticated equipment can be realised soon,” he added.
Meanwhile, Yoga noted that the main strength of PMI Denpasar lies not only in its ambulances and core personnel. “A wide volunteer network reaching down to village level will also be developed to build public awareness and preparedness,” he concluded.