WEST BANGKA -- PT TIMAH (Persero) Tbk is supporting efforts to respond to forest and land fires in West Bangka Regency by deploying firefighting equipment, a fire truck, and a rescue team to assist emergency personnel in the field.
This support is part of PT TIMAH’s collaboration with the West Bangka Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and other relevant stakeholders in responding to forest and land fires, particularly in Mentok District.
Head of the West Bangka BPBD, Safrizal, said his agency continues to strengthen collaboration with various stakeholders, including PT TIMAH, to improve firefighting response efforts in the field.
He explained that the ongoing dry season in several parts of West Bangka has increased the risk of fires. To date, Mentok District has recorded one of the highest numbers of fire incidents, with 277 cases affecting approximately 332.2 hectares of land.
In responding to these incidents, the West Bangka BPBD has faced limitations in firefighting equipment and resources, particularly after a fire truck owned by the regional government was damaged by fire. This situation has made collaboration with various stakeholders increasingly important in strengthening the response to forest and land fires.
“However, we have not given up despite these circumstances. We are working together with relevant stakeholders. Particularly in Mentok District, we are collaborating with Kodim 0431, the police, and PT TIMAH to address forest and land fires,” he said.
According to Safrizal, PT TIMAH’s support has been especially valuable when BPBD faces limited equipment and must respond to fires across extensive areas.
“We are grateful that PT TIMAH has been responsive in providing support. When BPBD is overwhelmed due to limited equipment and resources, we simply contact PT TIMAH, and the company responds quickly and immediately deploys personnel to the field,” he said.
Through its firefighting and rescue teams, PT TIMAH has responded to fires at several locations to assist with firefighting and emergency response efforts. The deployment of personnel and equipment has strengthened the joint response carried out by BPBD and other relevant stakeholders.
Safrizal expressed hope that disaster management collaboration with PT TIMAH and other stakeholders will continue to be strengthened, not only when disasters occur but also through mitigation and prevention efforts.
“We hope PT TIMAH and other stakeholders will continue working together, from mitigation and prevention to post-disaster response. Going forward, we hope our collaboration will focus not only on emergency response, but increasingly on prevention. This applies not only to forest and land fires, but also to other potential disasters,” he said.
He added that PT TIMAH’s support has also benefited local communities and the regional government in responding to previous disasters, including floods and tornadoes.
“PT TIMAH is very responsive. When we requested assistance during last year’s floods, the company immediately followed up. During forest and land fires, Alhamdulillah, the assistance was also provided very quickly. Post-disaster assistance has also been prompt, including support for repairing homes damaged by tornadoes,” he said.
Similarly, Sungai Baru Urban Village Head Sudirma said the presence of PT TIMAH’s firefighting team has helped respond to fires at several locations in the area.
“There were several forest and land fire locations in Sungai Baru that were extinguished by PT TIMAH’s firefighting team. We appreciate PT TIMAH’s support. Since the West Bangka Regency Government’s fire truck was damaged by fire, PT TIMAH’s firefighting team has been very supportive and responsive in helping extinguish fires around its operational areas,” he said. (*)
