Jakarta – Tens of thousands of junior and senior high school students in Jakarta participated in earthquake simulations held during August and September 2024. These activities were conducted in 96 schools in Gambir and Kramat Jati Districts as part of a series of Disaster-Safe Education Unit (SPAB) training to improve school readiness in facing potential earthquakes in Jakarta. The Jakarta Disaster Management Agency (BPBD DKI) collaborated with the United States Agency for International Development-Urban Communities for Resilient Action (USAID KUAT) and the Jakarta Disaster Risk Reduction Forum (FPRB) in implementing these exercises.
Located between four earthquake fault lines (Java Megathrust, Lembang, Cimandiri, and Baribis), Jakarta faces significant earthquake risk. Schools were chosen as priority targets for earthquake risk reduction capacity building programs because they are particularly vulnerable during teaching and learning activities.
The Head of BPBD DKI, Isnawa Aji, emphasized the importance of increasing school capacity in facing earthquake risks. “It’s essential for schools to have good preparedness in facing earthquakes to minimize potential casualties and losses. Therefore, the Jakarta Provincial Government through BPBD DKI routinely collaborates with various educational units to conduct socialization and training in facing earthquakes,” said Isnawa.
One of the schools that carried out the earthquake simulation was SMPN 50 in Kramat Jati District, East Jakarta. SMPN 50 participated in a two-day program where on the first day, the school received various presentations about risks, earthquake history, and earthquake preparedness guidelines in Jakarta, explanation and practical application of Disaster-Safe Education Units (SPAB), and simulation preparation.
On the second day, students and school staff carried out the previously discussed earthquake simulation scenario. The simulation began with the designated response team/teachers giving a signal that an earthquake was occurring, followed by practicing the correct protective actions consisting of ducking, taking shelter under tables or protecting the head and neck, and staying in position until the shaking stopped. The simulation continued with practicing safe evacuation to assembly points.
The school training program also included an Instagram reels competition about how to protect oneself during an earthquake, open to both students and the general public. Information can be accessed at bit.ly/kompetisireelsgempa.
Meanwhile, Bill Marsden, Project Director of USAID KUAT, spoke about the importance of collaboration and commitment from various parties to improve school preparedness in facing earthquakes. “Collaboration between various parties is necessary to regularly, at least once a year, hold preparedness drills for potential earthquakes in Jakarta. The support from Jakarta’s FPRB and the commitment of schools to participate in these simulations are good examples of collaboration between various institutions to improve school preparedness in facing earthquakes,” said Marsden.
SPAB is a national program initiated by the Ministry of Education and Culture to enhance the capacity of resources in educational units to cope with and reduce disaster risks. BPBD DKI is committed to continuing the SPAB program and collaborating with various parties such as FPRB DKI to provide support for schools that need training on disaster preparedness, such as earthquakes. Additionally, BPBD DKI has also launched illustrated storybooks about earthquakes for elementary, junior high, and high school ages, which can be downloaded at bit.ly/pustakagempa, and will soon launch earthquake education information that can be used by the public, facilitators, and people with disabilities.
Note: For information, USAID KUAT is a disaster mitigation strengthening program to support the reduction of casualties, injuries, property losses, and social and economic disruption in urban areas in DKI Jakarta, Bogor Regency, and Tangerang Regency. This program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Miyamoto International and Wahana Visi Indonesia in partnership with KADIN Indonesia, BPBD DKI Jakarta, BPBD Bogor Regency, BPBD Tangerang Regency, LPBI NU West Java, Skala Indonesia Foundation, and FPRB DKI Jakarta.
