"This training is part of a series of Focus Group Discussion (FGD) activities on preventing forest and land fires in each village," said Herwin, Head of KMP Zone I Mendawai. "In addition to hold village FGD activities, we also carried out internal company preparation from 22 to 23 June 2021 in the Concession area, attended by cross-sector employees, namely Preparation of Land and Forest Fire Facilities and Infrastructure, Forest and Land Fire Prevention Strategies, Socialization of Forest and Land Fire SOP and simulation of Suppression Practice and Medical Evaluation," he explained.

"The whole series of Internal Training and Training at the village level carries the theme 'Synergy, Collaborative Work and Zero Fire’, hoping that this year East Kotawaringin and Katingan Regencies are free from forest and land fires that cause smoke disasters like what happened a few years ago," said Herwin. He added that the five villages that participated in Forest and Land Fire Suppression Training and FGD activities were Mendawai Village, Kampung Melayu Village, Tewang Kampung Village, Parigi Village and Tumbang Bulan Village.

"Each village is attended by 20 participants, as during the pandemic, the entire series of activities follows strict Covid-19 health procedures and protocols," he added. This activity also involved Sectoral Police Chief of Mendawai District, IPTU Wijianto and his staff as well as representatives of Babinsa (Village Advisory Officer).

Meanwhile, the Head of the Mendawai village, Syahwani, said that they welcomed this activities to be held in his village “Apart from receiving training of forest and land fire suppression techniques, our community-based fire fighters also received operational funding for the next 4 months” he added.