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| Zakarija Achmat, S.Psi., M.Si., a lecturer at Muhammadiyah University of Malang (UMM) and Coordinator of Disaster Management Training at MDMC PP Muhammadiyah, shared his opinion on the fire in LA. (Photo : Special) |
The massive fires that occurred in Los Angeles, United States, captured global attention due to their widespread impact. Zakarija Achmat, S.Psi., M.Si., a lecturer at Muhammadiyah University of Malang (UMM) and Coordinator of the MDMC PP Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Training, shared his insights on the incident. According to him, the event offers important and relevant lessons for Indonesia. The region's high temperatures, dry conditions, and strong winds contributed to an increased risk of fire.
“Los Angeles has environmental conditions that favor the spread of fires, such as high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds. This situation is similar to what we often face in Kalimantan or Sumatra during the dry season. Land and forest fires in Indonesia are also frequently triggered by human factors, including careless activities or negligence. For example, the fire at Mount Bromo a few years ago was caused by a campfire lit in a restricted area,” he explained.
According to Zakarija, mitigation is the key step that must be prioritized in fire disaster management. He emphasized the importance of recognizing potential hazards early on. In household environments, for example, risks such as damaged electrical cables, using plugs that exceed their capacity, or the presence of flammable chemicals are often overlooked. In addition to prevention, awareness of emergency response measures is also crucial. Zakarija reminds people not to panic when faced with a fire. They should follow rescue instructions and prioritize personal safety. It is also important to understand evacuation routes and stay away from high-risk areas, such as places with dry vegetation or flammable materials.
“In handling fire victims, a holistic approach is needed, addressing both physical and psychological aspects. Burns not only leave marks on the body, but they often also cause deep trauma. We must support victims by avoiding the recall of bad memories or making insensitive comments that could aggravate their psychological condition,” he added.
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Regarding the role of MDMC Muhammadiyah, Zakarija explained that community education is a priority. Training sessions and fire simulations in various regions have been conducted to improve community preparedness. He also encouraged households to have simple fire extinguishers and understand how to use them.
“Small steps like these can have a big impact in reducing the risk of fire. I hope the community becomes increasingly aware of the importance of mitigation as the main step in dealing with disasters. We may not be able to prevent disasters entirely, but we can minimize the risks and impacts with the right steps,” he concluded. (vin/wil/mrh)
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