Disasterchannel.co,- Maybe you loyal DC readers have read Erna Susiyanti’s article entitled “What’s in the Disaster Preparedness Bag?”. If not, the author recommends that it would be nice for Sobat DC to read the title of the article first. Due to the discussion this time, the author will explain five reasons why you should have a disaster preparedness bag at your place of residence.
As we know, Indonesia is a country that has a very significant threat of disaster. Seeing these conditions, therefore we as a society living in disaster-prone areas must have the right steps in dealing with these conditions. One way is that we must have a disaster preparedness bag. Here are five reasons why you should have a disaster preparedness bag:
- Indonesia is a Disaster-Prone Area
As explained above, Indonesia is a disaster-prone area, this is because Indonesia is in the ring of fire area. In addition, Indonesia also has many active faults that may move and cause earthquakes. In addition to the threat of an earthquake, several coastal areas also have the potential for a tsunami, such as the west coast of Sumatra and the south of Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara and Maluku. Disasters due to technological failures also haunt cities in Indonesia. Not to mention the disasters caused by climate change and environmental damage.
Judging from the geographical location of this beloved country, as well as some of the author’s explanations above, it is necessary for us to have a disaster preparedness bag so that we can use it to defend ourselves when a disaster occurs.
- Preparing for the Worst Possibility
Preparing a disaster preparedness bag is the same as we have prepared for all the worst possibilities. If in theory financial management there is such a thing as an emergency where the money should only be allocated when the worst happens. Likewise with the disaster preparedness bag, because the bag already contains all the necessities that we will use when a natural disaster occurs.
- Extending the Period of Our Life in Critical Times
By having a disaster preparedness bag, during the emergency response period, we have the tools we need to deal with emergency situations.
The equipment in the disaster preparedness bag will extend our life span. For example, if we are in the ruins of a building destroyed by an earthquake. At least at this critical moment we can use the food available in the disaster preparedness bag to survive as long as we are trapped in the ruins.
- Making It Easier for Us to Survive During Critical Times
One of the contents of the disaster preparedness bag, written by Erna Susiyanti, is a radio communication tool in the form of a Handy Talky (HT). This communication tool will certainly make it easier for us to communicate through certain frequency waves. In contrast to mobile phones which are limited by pulses when they want to share information. HT itself is an effective communication tool during an emergency, because HT and radio equipment do not use pulses. This will make it easier for us to communicate and find information when a disaster occurs.
- Securing Family Archives
Finally, by having a disaster preparedness bag, we can secure our important family files, such as Family Cards (KK), as well as documents that we consider important, such as diplomas. This will certainly help our claim that the post-disaster period, to be precise, is the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase.
Of course, if a letter such as KK, we have it during the reconstruction phase, of course, this will make it easier for the government to record needs during the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase in an area that has experienced a disaster.
Those are five reasons why you should have a disaster preparedness bag in your home. If DC friends feel that the five reasons are still lacking, please contact the DC Admin to send your writings as well. Hopefully by sharing knowledge so that we are resilient in dealing with disasters around us.
Author: Abdurrahman Heriza
Editor: Lien Sururoh
Translator: Nugrah Aryatama
Source:
[1] REID, Anthony. History and seismology in the Ring of Fire: Punctuating the Indonesian past. In: Environment, Trade and Society in Southeast Asia. Brill, 2015. p. 62-77.
[1] “InaRISK,” accessed July 30, 2023, https://inarisk.bnpb.go.id/.
[1] https://www.facebook.com/BPBDJakarta, “Sejarah dan Latar Belakang BPBD DKI Jakarta,” https://bpbd.jakarta.go.id, accessed July 30, 2023, https://bpbd.jakarta.go.id/video-berita/2/latar-belakang.
Photo: bpbd.bogorkab.go.id
