PetroChina Jabung will collaborate with the Public Order and Firefighting Agency of East Tanjung Jabung regency, Jambi, to establish community-based firefighter units in all villages in Geragai district where the company operates.

The company and the agency hosted a socialization event in the district on 22 August 2024 to disseminate information about the plan to local village and subdistrict heads.

Local military and police officers also attended the socialization event.  

The firefighter units will comprise local villagers as volunteers. This program is supported by PetroChina Jabung as part of the company's effort to raise fire safety awareness among locals. The company will also facilitate fire safety training for the volunteers.

Previously, PetroChina Jabung worked with the Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) of East Tanjung Jabung to form volunteer groups in the disaster-resilient village (Destana) program. These groups would hopefully boost disaster mitigation efforts in local communities. 

East Tanjung Jabung regional secretariat official, Suhas Purrojani, said that the firefighting volunteer program was important for the regency due to the large swaths of fire-prone peatland in the region.

“Collaboration is key. It is important that local people have good knowledge on disaster prevention and mitigation. The presence of firefighting volunteer groups will save so many lives,” he said.