Police distribute logistics and oxygen to support forest fire handling
The Indonesian National Police (Polri) has distributed logistical aid and oxygen cylinders to support the handling of forest and land fires (karhutla) in several regions.
Head of the Public Information Bureau of the Polri Public Relations Division, Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, said in a statement in Jakarta on Monday that as an initial stage, logistical aid for West Kalimantan has begun to be dispatched.
“For the initial stage, the aid being dispatched is to support karhutla handling in West Kalimantan. Meanwhile, aid for other regions is also being prepared and will be sent as soon as possible in stages according to transport readiness and needs on the ground,” he said.
The aid sent to West Kalimantan consists of six platoon tent sets, 200 boxes of Polri supplementary food, 1.5-inch and 2.5-inch forest fire hoses, gun nozzle pistol sprays, nozzles, Y connectors, as well as large and small oxygen cylinders.
The aid is scheduled to depart via Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, on Tuesday (25/8) at 06.30 WIB, using an aircraft to support the needs of personnel in the field in handling karhutla.
In addition, Polri has also prepared logistical support and oxygen cylinders for several other regions affected by karhutla.
Trunoyudo detailed the distribution: 200 cylinders for West Kalimantan, 250 for Central Kalimantan, 200 for South Kalimantan, 200 for South Sumatra, 250 for Riau, and 150 for Jambi.
He said the aid is intended not only to support personnel carrying out firefighting operations, but also to help affected communities, particularly those experiencing respiratory problems due to exposure to karhutla smoke.
“This logistical support is part of Polri’s efforts to ensure personnel have adequate equipment in carrying out firefighting operations while also providing support to communities in affected areas,” he said.
He added that Polri will continue to monitor the development of karhutla handling in various regions and ensure that personnel and logistical support can be distributed quickly according to needs on the ground.