The Timika Search & Rescue (SAR) Office together with PT. Freeport Indonesia and the Mimika Regency Government distributed 800 'life jackets' or floating jackets to representatives of the church/Diocese, health office, education office, Lemasa, Lemasko, Jita District, Agimuga, Far East Mimika, East Mimika, Wania and Mimika Baru District in the hall Timika SAR Office, Jalan Yos Sudarso KM5, Thursday (15/06/2023).
In his remarks Assistant 1 of the Mimika Regional Secretariat, Paulus Dumais said, in order to fulfill safety aspects, especially people's shipping services, it is necessary to be equipped with a minimum standard of safety equipment on board, namely life jackets. This is in order to minimize the occurrence of casualties in the event of a ship accident or disaster at sea.
At the same time, a training of safety guidelines and introduction to water rescue, as well as personal floating device (PFD) and water rescue methods was also conducted by SAR officers to community representatives present.
It is hoped that through the training activities provided by the Mimika SAR, it will be able to equip potential SAR villagers to support search and rescue operations in the area around the village.
Representing PTFI Management, PTFI Technical Advisor Community Affairs, Arnold Kayame, said that “The Timika SAR covers the Mimika, Asmat and Kaimana areas. From a geographical location it is very challenging. Below, the waters of the Arafura sea and above the mountainous areas that have extraordinary natural challenges," he said.
Arnold added, Freeport supports the Timika SAR operation as stated in the MoU on August 23, 2022, in handling emergency situations in the area at the mouth of the Ajkwa River. Freeport provided 800 life jackets to the community, which were distributed by the Timika SAR Office.
"We see that the aspect of safety in water has become something we have to do together. This responsibility cannot be borne by only one party, but must be a collaboration. We appreciate Kakansar Timika, for having an extraordinary initiative for us to be able to collaborate to answer safety challenges in the Mimika Regency area. In the future, how can this collaboration continue to be carried out, "he said.
Meanwhile, Head of Timika SAR Office, George Mercy Randang, said that his party played a role in distributing 800 life jackets to the community, as well as providing debriefing and training so residents could be responsive when an accident occurs in river or sea waters.
"With the knowledge shared, it can form a rescue community, which helps the community itself. If there is an incident, the local community can spearhead Basarnas in helping others. This is a joint collaboration, especially in the southern waters," he said.
He hopes that the number of accidents at sea and fatalities can continue to fall with the SAR, Freeport and Mimika Regency Government collaboration program.
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