Jakpus Fire Department Forms Volunteer Firefighter Unit in Senen to Speed Up Fire Response

The Central Jakarta Fire and Rescue Agency (Gulkarmat) has formed a Volunteer Fire Brigade (Redkar) in Senen sub-district as part of efforts to improve residents’ preparedness in preventing and tackling fires at an early stage.

Senen sub-district Gulkarmat task force head Irpan Sapiih said the Redkar, comprising 30 residents, was established to raise public awareness of fire hazards while speeding up initial response before firefighters arrive at the scene.

“Training the community so they know what to do before firefighters arrive at the fire location,” Irpan said in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday.

He explained that Redkar members come from neighbourhood unit (RT) and community unit (RW) administrators, the Community Early Awareness Forum (FKDM), and the Sub-district Consultative Council (LMK) in Senen.

According to him, participants were provided with material on the basics of fire and initial response measures, followed by practical exercises in extinguishing fires using wet sacks and light fire extinguishers (APAR).

“After the material was delivered, it was followed by practice on how to extinguish fire using wet sacks and light fire extinguishers (APAR),” he said.

Meanwhile, Head of RT 06/RW 05 Senen sub-district Gertudis Sapuro said the training increased residents’ knowledge of initial fire response, thereby reducing the risk of flames spreading.

“Hopefully with the Redkar and APAR in every RT, it can help with early fire response before firefighters arrive,” Gertudis said.