Police prepare 260 personnel to strengthen handling of Flores earthquake impact
The Indonesian National Police (Polri) has prepared 260 personnel to strengthen the handling of the impact of a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck the Flores region of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
Head of the Polri Public Relations Division, Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir, said in a statement received in Jakarta on Sunday that of that number, 137 personnel were dispatched to Flores in the initial stage on Saturday evening (15/8).
“Consisting of 101 Brimob SAR personnel, 14 Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) and medical personnel, nine public relations personnel, three logistics personnel, and 10 internal affairs personnel. A total of around 137 personnel,” he said.
Johnny said the deployment of this force is part of Polri’s measures to strengthen disaster management, particularly in supporting the evacuation process, search and rescue of victims, health services, victim identification, and the recovery of affected communities.
According to him, public safety is Polri’s top priority in handling the earthquake disaster in Flores and the NTT region.
“Polri’s main priority at present is to ensure public safety, carry out evacuations, provide assistance to victims, and ensure that the needs of affected communities can be addressed immediately,” he said.
He stressed that Polri will continue to deploy forces according to the development of the situation and the needs of affected communities.
“Polri will continue to be present and provide maximum support in the evacuation process, search and rescue, health services, meeting community needs, and handling the impact of the disaster in the Flores and NTT regions,” he said.
Previously, Polri had instructed the NTT Regional Police and district police chiefs in affected areas to go directly to the field together with relevant stakeholders to carry out evacuations and provide assistance to the community.
Aid posts have also been established in safe locations to support the evacuation process, public services, shelter, and the distribution of aid.