BPBD Ramps Up Disaster Literacy Efforts

Jakarta Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) plans to introduce an earthquake simulator truck as an innovation to improve disaster literacy among the public.

"We learned this from Japan,"

Jakarta BPBD Secretary, Marulitua Sijabat, said the program was initiated in response to the limited disaster literacy spaces in the city.

"So far, our disaster literacy space has been limited, and only minor renovations have been tried out. That's why this year, we're developing disaster literacy through the provision of an earthquake simulator truck," he added, Monday (7/28).

Disaster Handling Education Provided for Cideng Residents

He said the earthquake simulator truck can operate both on-site and on the move, making it easier to reach schools and other locations. This gives students a chance to experience earthquake mitigation firsthand.

"People still don't fully understand the effects of earthquakes with different magnitudes. With this simulator, they can experience it firsthand and learn how to respond properly," he explained.

In addition to school visits, Jakarta BPBD also plans to use this truck in public events like Car Free Day (CFD) to broaden outreach. 

"It can be used every Sunday during CFD as a tool to promote disaster literacy," he asserted.

The earthquake simulator truck measures as a mini truck, a bit bigger than metromini and yet smaller than a trailer.

"It's large enough and safe to accommodate earthquake simulator inside," he mentioned.

Marulitua stated that if the program is realized, it will be the first earthquake simulator truck in Indonesia. The initiative was inspired by Japan, which has long used similar technology for disaster education.

"We learned this from Japan at the 2023 Crisis Management Conference in Tokyo, where simulator truck like this is proven to be very effective educational tools," he said.

Currently, Jakarta BPBD is finalizing the procurement contract, which is expected to be completed within the next two months.

According to him, a mobile solution was chosen because earthquake simulator require special structural space, which is not feasible in buildings that not specifically designed for it.

"Therefore, we're bringing in the mobile version while waiting for the development of a new BPBD building," he added.