Jakarta anticipate fires, floods
Jakarta anticipate fires, floods
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
A deafening siren rang out at City Hall on Wednesday afternoon.
Within seconds, fire trucks, ambulances and police cars arrived
to put out the "fire" on the fourth floor, and rescue those
"trapped" inside.
Hundreds of people were exiting the building, but they were
not exactly scared. Indeed, many were laughing as they ran.
In the drill, a fire was spotted on the fourth floor. Security
guards on that floor had tried to put it out with portable fire
extinguisher, but to no avail. The fire spread to the fifth
floor, and then to the sixth floor, forcing the guards to call
the fire department.
At least 600 personnel of the Jakarta Fire Department, Public
Order Agency, City Transportation Agency, City Health Agency,
Indonesian Red Cross and the police, arrived to put out the fire
and assist injured victims.
At least 30 of the injured were evacuated from the 21-story
building using ropes, and a tunnel made of cotton as a slide.
They were taken in ambulances to nearby hospitals.
Alternatively, survivors could jump from the building onto a
large inflated safety cushion.
A chopper also took part in the drill to transport victims.
The drill is part of a campaign organized by the
administration from Oct. 6 to Oct. 12, to raise public awareness
of steps to be taken in an emergency, including floods and fires.
"Through the drill, we want to check whether or not the
existing system works," Governor Sutiyoso said.
"We also want to demonstrate to the public how they can save
themselves in an emergency," he said.
Aside from the fire drill, the administration has asked
emergency workers to rehearse flood mitigation procedure.
"We will also hold a seminar, workshop and exhibition to raise
the public's awareness of the importance of their participation
in mitigating disasters," City Public Order Agency head Soebagio
said.
Soebagio added that the administration had allocated Rp 300
million for the program, known as Pekan Sadar Bencana (A week of
public awareness of disaster mitigation).
The 2004 Campaign on Disaster Mitigation
Program Date Venue
1. Seminar and Workshop Oct.7, Oct.8 City Hall
'Public Empowerment to raise 8 a.m.
awareness of disaster mitigation'
2. Exhibition of Disaster Mitigation Oct. 9, Oct. 10 The National Monument Park
Equipment 8 a.m. (Monas)
3. Parade along city thoroughfares Oct. 10
ambulances, fire trucks, 8 a.m.
will take part in the motorcade
4. Rehearsal of Disaster Mitigation Oct. 11 City Hall's Crisis Center
8 a.m.
5. Rehearsal of Flood Mitigation Oct. 12 Kampung Melayu, East Jakarta
8 a.m.
Source:Jakarta administration