PT Timah emergency response team extinguishes 97 forest and land fires in Bangka Belitung
The presence of PT Timah’s emergency response team has greatly helped accelerate fire handling, especially when hot, dry weather accompanied by strong winds increases the risk of forest and land fires in this area.
Pangkalpinang (ANTARA) - The Emergency Response Team (ERT) of PT Timah (Persero) Tbk has extinguished 97 forest and land fire incidents in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, as part of efforts to handle fires in the company’s operational areas.
“PT Timah, through its ERT, actively assists in extinguishing forest and land fires that occur in a number of the company’s operational areas,” said PT Timah (Persero) Tbk Department Head of Corporate Communication, Anggi Siahaan, in Pangkalpinang on Wednesday.
He said that from January to 25 August, PT Timah’s ERT had carried out 97 fire handling operations spread across Pangkalpinang City, Bangka Regency, West Bangka and Kundur.
“The presence of PT Timah’s emergency response team has greatly helped accelerate fire handling, especially when hot, dry weather accompanied by strong winds increases the risk of forest and land fires in this area,” said Anggi.
He said PT Timah currently has six firefighting fleets stationed in several areas. Two fleets are in Pangkalpinang, two in Bangka Regency, one in Kundur, one in Mentok, West Bangka, and two units in Bangka Regency spread across Belinyu and Sungailiat.
“The placement of these fleets enables a faster response when fires occur, particularly in areas that require additional support in the forest and land fire extinguishing process,” said Anggi.
Head of the Bangka Belitung Islands Province Civil Service Police Unit, Budi Utama, appreciated PT Timah’s involvement in handling forest and land fires, because fire handling requires the involvement of all stakeholders, including the government, state-owned enterprises and vertical agencies.
“Alhamdulillah, all stakeholders including PT Timah have been brought together and this company has been extraordinary in helping us accelerate the extinguishing of forest and land fires, especially during this Godzilla El Niño season,” he said.
He said PT Timah’s firefighting team has a fast response when fires occur. Coordination is carried out through the Si Jago Merah Bangka Belitung communication group, which serves as a means to speed up information and fire handling.
“PT Timah’s contribution has been felt in handling fires in the northern Bangka and West Bangka areas,” he said.
According to Anggi, the challenge of handling forest and land fires cannot be faced by a single agency alone. Collaboration is key so that fires can be brought under control quickly and do not spread.
“If all stakeholders, whether state-owned enterprises, vertical agencies or the government, are united in helping one another, insyaallah we will be stronger in facing this Godzilla El Niño weather or season,” he said.
He urged the public not to deliberately burn land or carry out activities that could potentially create fire hotspots, especially when weather conditions are hot and land is dry.
“We ask the entire community to stop, to cease being mischievous or deliberately burning land. If anyone sees someone doing it deliberately, please help with the arrest so that there is a deterrent effect,” said Anggi.