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