Semen Baturaja Trains Ring 1 Residents to Prepare for Fires and Disasters, Demonstrating a Real-Life Commitment to Safety

BATURAJA – As a fire prevention measure, PT Semen Baturaja Tbk (SMBR), a subsidiary of PT Semen Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (SIG), through its Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) Unit, in collaboration with the Fire and Rescue Service (Damkarmat) and the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) Regency, held a fire drill and simulation training and disaster response training for residents in Ring 1 surrounding the company’s operational area.

The activity, which took place at Ganesha Arena, Baturaja, OKU Regency, South Sumatra, on Wednesday (August 13th), aimed to improve the community’s knowledge and skills in dealing with potential fires and other emergency situations.

The training, attended by residents of Ring 1, was also attended by representatives of the local government, including the Head of West Baturaja District, Yan Kurniawan, the Head of East Baturaja District, Khairuddin Albar, and village heads from the Ring 1 area.

The event was officially opened by SMBR Vice President of Corporate Secretary Hari Liandu, who emphasized the importance of emergency preparedness.

“This event is a concrete manifestation of our commitment to growing and developing with the community. Training like this is crucial for our safety. We never know when an emergency will occur, so this training teaches us to act quickly, remain calm, and help each other,” he said.

The training featured two speakers from the OKU Regency Fire and Rescue Service (Damkarmat): Taslim Winardi and Gunawansyah from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD). Taslim presented material on Fire Prevention and Response Behavior, covering causes, preventative measures, and initial extinguishing techniques.

“Fires usually occur due to minor negligence that we are unaware of. With the right knowledge and skills, such as using a fire extinguisher and wet cloth, a fire can be extinguished before it grows,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gunawansyah explained the Disaster Management Socialization program, covering evacuation procedures, coordination between residents, and the community’s role in risk mitigation.

“Disasters cannot be predicted, but preparedness can be practiced. By understanding evacuation procedures, safe routes, and coordination between residents, we can minimize the risk of loss of life and loss of life,” he emphasized.

In addition to receiving educational materials, residents also participated in live simulations, covering handling fires caused by LPG leaks, using portable fire extinguishers (APAR), and proper evacuation techniques during a disaster. This training aimed to train residents’ reflexes, courage, and skills in dealing with emergencies.

The Head of Sukajadi Village, Yessy Oktariani, appreciated SMBR’s active community involvement.

“We thank PT Semen Baturaja for conducting fire drill and disaster management simulations. We hope the knowledge we gained will benefit the community, especially in Sukajadi and the Ring 1 area. We hope this synergy with the government will continue,” he said.

One participant, Yon Efrison from RT 21, Tiga Gajah Complex, said he gained valuable experience.

“Thank you to PT Semen Baturaja for holding this training. Now, if a fire occurs, we know how to handle it,” he said.

With this training, SMBR hopes to create a safer, more resilient, and disaster-ready environment through collaboration between the company, the government, and the community. (*)