InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Following the increased risk of forest and land fires during the 2025 dry season, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food is taking strategic steps by strengthening its fire prevention and mitigation efforts. Together with Manggala Agni, the Forest Fire Control Brigade of the Ministry of Forestry, the company is conducting year-round training for its Emergency Response Teams (KTD) in five fire-prone areas, including South Sumatra, Riau, and West Kalimantan.
Since 2018, this partnership has trained over 1,200 KTD volunteers. This year, 225 personnel are involved in responding to fire warnings and hotspots in their respective areas. Participants follow training based on three main pillars: prevention, suppression, and post-fire handling. The curriculum includes community education, fire simulations, risk mapping, and rapid response strategies with a target of controlling fires within a maximum of 24 hours after detection.
"This approach reflects our commitment to protecting what is important, from our people and assets to the environment we all share," said Haskarlianus Pasang, Head of Operations Sustainability at Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, as quoted by InfoSAWIT on Friday (9/12/2025). He added that the company continues to utilize technology to prevent and control fires, reduce emissions, and maintain environmental sustainability.
Anselmus Ahmad Supriyanto, Head of Peat and Fire Management at Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, echoed this sentiment. According to him, the success of fire prevention is determined not only by technical capacity but also by the level of public awareness and participation. "Our KTD personnel are agents of change. More than just mastering the equipment, they inspire the community to care for the land we share," he said.
To expand its reach, the company also collaborates with the Fire-Alert Community, a community-based initiative focused on monitoring and reporting potential fires. This collaboration is strengthened with technological support, including GeoSMART Fire (GSF), which is integrated into the Sustainability Information System (GSIS), as well as AI-based CCTV in its Riau and West Kalimantan concessions. The AI technology can detect smoke within a 10-kilometer radius and often identifies potential fires faster than satellites.
With a combination of training, community empowerment, and the use of advanced technology, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food reaffirms its commitment to strengthening preparedness, reducing emissions, and protecting the environment from the threat of forest and land fires. (T2)
