Manggala Agni Approached the Campus World in Tackling the Forest Fire

There was a different from the program “Closing Ceremony of Education and Training on Forest Fire Control for the Member of Satuan Manggala Agni Reaksi Taktis (SMART) of the Ministry of Forestry” this time. The Ministry of Forestry named this closing program at the Campus of IPB, Dramaga, (30/4). The thing had the individual meaning i.e. to bring the campus world close with the factual activity in the field in the attempt to control the forest fire.

The Program of this Closing of Education and Training on Forest Fire Control for SMART Member was started with the tree planting done symbolically by the Minister of Forestry of RI, Zulkifli Hasan, at Arboretum, Studio Arsitektur Lanskap of IPB. Then, the training participants “showed the ability” in the skill demonstration of SMART. Various technical simulations to extinguish the fire and redemption toward the fire victims were also showed off in this celebration. This demonstration also involved the role of student action in the socialization of mask use at the time of the fire.

The Minister of Forestry of RI, Zulkifli Hasan which became the Ceremony Inspector, gave the welcome speech as well as officially closed this activity. In his welcoming speech, Zulkifli Hasan said that, “The problems of forest and land fire have become the international problem, because the impact is in form of smog to damage all of us both within the country and the neighboring countries. Therefore, the government, private and community need to have shoulder to shoulder in handling the threat of the forest and land fire”.

The Activity of Education and Forest Control for these SMART Members had been carried out at the Center of Education and Fire Training of the Province of DKI Jakarta in Bumi Ciracas, East Jakarta. This program was followed by 162 participants from 33 Provinces for one month, starting from 1 April to 30 April 2012 with the entire duration of 200 training hours.

To the members of SMART, the Minister of Forestry of RI, Zulkifli Hasan also gave a message, “Increasing continuously your quality, ability, skill and professionalism in activity to control the forest fire. Welcome back to each region. Convey my greetings for the friends of Manggala Agni and the community around you. May it happen and always succeed and in the condition of safe and sound”. (rf)