Indonesia’s Lampung Provincial Forestry Service is enhancing its preparedness for forest and land fires through a comprehensive strategy combining advanced technology and personnel training. The agency recently conducted a large-scale preparedness drill, mobilizing its entire Forest Police (Polhut) force to improve technical capabilities and implement a more data-driven approach to monitoring the region’s forests.

The initiative focuses on proactive and reactive measures. During the drill, personnel received in-depth technical guidance and participated in simulations covering the complete disaster management cycle: pre-fire prevention, active fire response, and post-fire recovery. The training was designed to ensure officers are adept at not only extinguishing flames but also at assessing risks, maintaining operational safety, and protecting both local communities and themselves in real-world scenarios.

A key component of this upgraded strategy is the intensification of “Smart Patrols.” This method utilizes mobile applications such as SMART Mobile and Avenza Map, allowing officers to conduct planned patrols and document forest conditions in real-time. The system facilitates the collection of crucial data on wildlife, detection of illegal activities, and mapping of high-risk areas. This technological integration enables the rapid detection of hotspots and provides operators with accurate field data, allowing for quicker, more informed decision-making.

Officials from the Forestry Service stressed that effective forest protection extends beyond law enforcement. The agency is promoting a philosophy that balances regulatory firmness with community empowerment and trust. The long-term vision is that sustainable forest preservation cannot be achieved through prohibitions alone but requires the active involvement and support of the communities living in and around the forested areas. This integrated approach aims to create a resilient and collaborative defense against the threat of forest fires.

SOURCE: Apel Siaga Karhutla: Dishut Lampung Perkuat Polhut dengan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat …