FMIPA UI-BPBD West Bandung Ready to Form IT-Based Disaster Resilient Young Cadres

The FMIPA UI Community Service Team in collaboration with the West Bandung Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and SMA Negeri 1 Cisarua held a socialization and simulation of potential disasters in Cisarua District using an information technology-based approach on October 19-21, 2020. hybrid at SMA Negeri 1 Cisarua, West Bandung Regency. This event is a series of events in the IPTEKS for the Community 2020 community service and empowerment program. The socialization and simulation were attended by 35 high school and vocational high school students throughout Cisarua District, West Bandung.

The 2020 UI Community Service and Empowerment Program is an activity that aims to produce young cadres who are Disaster Resilient. In the third year of this program, the theme carried is disaster risk reduction through an IT-based approach. The information technology in question is through the use of gadgets as educational media for the community such as VR Box and Augmented Reality as information media for learning about potential disasters around them. Present as a resource person was Poniman, S.Sos., M.Si. as the Head of the Prevention and Preparedness Division of the West Bandung Regency BPBD. He explained the importance of disaster mitigation socialization activities in efforts to reduce disaster risks, especially in West Bandung Regency.

"West Bandung Regency is a complete package when it comes to disasters ranging from landslides, flash floods, volcanic eruptions, and the potential for earthquakes due to the activation of the Lembang Fault. If we do not prepare now, the potential for loss of life will be even greater," he said.

On the second day, the activities focused on simulating disasters that could potentially occur in Cisarua, such as floods and fires, as well as the potential for... gempabumi akibat aktivasi Sesar Lembang. The event began with disaster preparation, independent evacuation practices, and closed with the establishment of a disaster management system in each school. Enthusiasm was evident from each participant. No exception for Yusup, one of the participants from SMA Negeri 1 Cisarua.

"My deepest gratitude to the PPM UI Team for organizing the socialization event. This is my first experience participating in an event like this," said Yusup.

Enthusiasm did not only come from the students, the teachers who accompanied them, especially from SMA Negeri 1 Cisarua as the host of this event. Mrs. Tuti Kurniawati, M.Pd. as the Principal of SMA Negeri 1 Cisarua was very happy to be trusted as the host of the event and really hoped that this activity could be a sustainable program.

"SMA Negeri 1 Cisarua is always ready to be partner UI in disaster risk reduction efforts in Cisarua District," he said.

Muhammad Rizqy Septyandy, a teaching staff member of the geology study program at the University of Indonesia and also a resource person on the second day of the activity, reminded the public of the importance of utilizing IT as an educational medium amidst the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia.

"In a pandemic situation like this that limits the scope of activities, it is hoped that through an IT approach, education on disaster mitigation can still be conveyed properly," he added.