InfoSAWIT, RANTAU PULUNG – Apical and Earthworm Foundation, in collaboration with KPHP Bengalon and the Tepian Makmur Village Government, have strengthened community preparedness for preventing and responding to forest and land fires in Tepian Makmur Village, Rantau Pulung District, East Kutai, East Kalimantan.
The awareness and education session was held at the Tepian Makmur Village Hall and brought together the village head, local officials, community leaders, farmer groups and members of the village's Peduli Api fire volunteer group.
The participants received practical information on fire prevention, the use of firefighting equipment, the construction of firebreaks and the initial steps to take when signs of a potential fire are detected.
The activity forms part of the Sustainable Living Village (SLV) program implemented by Apical and Earthworm Foundation in Tepian Makmur, Tepian Indah and Tepian Langsat villages. The program has been running since 2024 and is scheduled to continue through 2029.
The SLV initiative combines efforts to strengthen local livelihoods with environmental protection through collaboration between communities and local stakeholders.
Tepian Makmur Village Head Suharto said community participation was essential in reducing the risk of forest and land fires, particularly by avoiding land-clearing practices involving fire and ensuring that local volunteers were prepared to respond quickly.
“We are committed to keeping Tepian Makmur Village free from fire-related smoke,” Suharto said in an official statement received by InfoSAWIT on Tuesday (September 15, 2026).
He also encouraged residents, particularly farmers, to avoid using fire for land clearing and called for stronger preparedness among local fire volunteers.
Apical CSR Manager Agus Wiastono said the activity was designed to provide practical benefits that respond to the needs of communities in the program areas.
Through the SLV program, he said, Apical aims to strengthen community capacity to protect the environment and respond to risks in their surroundings. Fire prevention, he added, requires both community preparedness and close cooperation among the village government, KPHP Bengalon, Earthworm Foundation and local residents.
During the session, KPHP Bengalon provided information on regulations and legal provisions concerning forest and land burning. Participants also learned how to operate firefighting equipment, establish firebreaks and carry out early detection and rapid reporting when potential fires are identified.
The initiative is expected to strengthen local capacity while supporting longer-term community resilience and environmental protection. (T2)
