Riau Regional Police Women Join Forest and Land Fire Extinguishing Efforts in Pelalawan
Dozens of female police officers (Polwan) from the Riau Regional Police division have stepped in to assist in extinguishing forest and land fires (karhutla) in Pelalawan Regency. This action demonstrates that female officers are not only capable of desk-based duties but have also proven their ability to undertake challenging field tasks alongside other personnel in managing the forest fire crisis.
This activity is also part of the commemorations for the 7au Anniversary of the Women’s Police Corps. Female officers within the Riau Regional Police are marking this momentum by participating directly in forest fire management.
In several affected areas, female officers have taken on different roles according to field requirements, ranging from assisting in firefighting to providing humanitarian services to communities impacted by the fires.
In the Kerumutan District, Pelalawan Regency, 26 female officers from the Pelalawan District Police met with affected residents. They distributed masks and provided trauma healing, motivation, and psychological support to the community. The presence of these officers is part of a humanitarian approach to managing forest fires, as the impact of such fires extends beyond burnt land and air quality to the well-being of the surrounding population.
Meanwhile, in Rokan Hilir Regency, female officers from the Rokan Hilir District Police took on a different role. They went directly to the fire sites in Napangga Pujud, Tanjung Medan District, to assist in firefighting efforts to prevent the flames from spreading.
Head of Public Relations for the Riau Regional Police, Kombes Akmadi, stated that the involvement of female officers shows that managing forest fires requires collective effort and participation from all sectors.
“In Rokan Hilir, female officers are directly assisting in firefighting. In Kerumutan, Pelalawan, they are present to accompany the community through trauma healing and mask distribution. Their roles differ, but the goal is the same: to be present according to the needs of the community and the conditions on the ground,” said Akmadi on Sunday (30/8/2026).
According to Akmadi, forest fire management should not be viewed solely through the process of extinguishing flames. There is a humanitarian aspect that must also receive attention, particularly regarding the communities experiencing the direct impact.
“There are communities we must protect and accompany. Therefore, in addition to firefighting and cooling efforts, providing services to affected residents is also a vital part of the management being carried out,” he said.
Akmadi added that this series of activities serves as a way for the Riau Regional Police women to commemorate the 78th Anniversary of the Indonesian Women’s Police Corps through service that can be directly felt by the public.
“We mark the anniversary of the Women’s Police Corps through service. Some officers stand alongside other personnel facing the flames in the field, while others are present to accompany affected communities. The spirit is simple: female officers are present whenever the community needs them,” said Akmadi.