Universitas Gadjah Mada in collaboration with Kobe City Fire Bureau of Japan held 'Festival Bokomi' in form of simulation of community-based disaster response introduction in Badran village of Jetis, Yogyakarta, on Thursday (8/12). One of them is to teach children and parents how to save themselves in time of disaster.
Executive committee chairman, Dr. Ir. Ikaputra says this kind of activity aims to foster awareness, initiative and community involvement in dealing with disasters that can occur at any time. This is because in a disaster those who are able to save themselves are the community itself. Therefore, the community that is adopted from Japan, called Bokomi (Boshai Community), is necessary. In Indonesia it is called the Community Awareness Organization Base.
According to Ikaputra, disaster response simulation is needed by society, especially children. The experience to participate in various disaster simulation games will improve motor nerve responses of children to react and take action when a disaster occurs. "In our experience, this kind of game enhances intelligence and response of children in disaster risk reduction," said the architectural engineering lecturer.
For the manufacture of children's props, Ikaputra said, they do not need to adopt from Japan but they can produce them by themselves based on local knowledge of each region.
She argues, disaster risk reduction simulation should be conducted continuously. It is because experience in dealing with disasters is not necessarily passed on by parents who have experienced it to his children. He said in Kobe, this kind of activity is done after ten years of the earthquake disaster. So, the IKC Badran community is expected to be able to inspire other villages in Yogyakarta and other areas throughout Indonesia to conduct similar activities.
Head of Jetis Sub-Village, Sisruadi, said this kind of activity can improve community preparedness in the face of disaster. In the Badran village, the disaster simulation exercises are regularly held on the third week of each month. It is followed by some 100 participants ranging from children, parents and adults. "It's been running since two years ago," he said.