MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM – North Sumatra Governor Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution has unveiled a new initiative aimed at strengthening the role of village administrations in disaster management. Under the policy, village heads who successfully complete and obtain certification from the National Search and Rescue Agency's (Basarnas) Surface Water Search and Rescue Training Program will receive additional financial incentives.
The initiative forms part of the North Sumatra Provincial Government's long-term strategy to improve disaster preparedness and emergency response capacity at the grassroots level. According to Bobby Nasution, village administrations serve as the frontline of disaster response and play a crucial role in saving lives, particularly in areas frequently affected by floods and landslides.
The announcement was made during the opening ceremony of the Basarnas Surface Water Search and Rescue Potential Training Program at Raja Inal Siregar Hall, the Governor's Office on Jalan Diponegoro No. 30, Medan, on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
Village Administrations Key to Disaster ResponseBobby Nasution said the devastating hydrometeorological disasters that struck North Sumatra at the end of 2025 provided important lessons that shaped the new policy.
The floods and landslides caused extensive damage across multiple regions, destroying infrastructure and claiming hundreds of lives. In response, the provincial government seeks to ensure that village leaders possess not only administrative capabilities but also practical skills in emergency rescue and crisis management.
According to the governor, the first few hours following a disaster are often critical, making swift local action essential to reducing casualties.
"We will provide incentives for village heads who successfully complete the Basarnas training program and obtain certification. If we cannot prevent natural disasters, we must at least be capable of saving lives," Bobby Nasution said after inaugurating the training program.
He added that the provincial government plans to expand disaster preparedness training in the future. The objective is to equip local administrations with the knowledge and operational standards necessary to respond rapidly and effectively during emergencies.
Bobby emphasized that well-trained human resources at the village level remain one of the most important factors in minimizing fatalities during disasters.
DISASTER MANAGEMENT REQUIRES VILLAGE INVOLVEMENT: Basarnas Chief Mohammad Syafii highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration in disaster response amid limited personnel resources. (PHOTO: Imam Syahputra)
South Tapanuli Experience Highlights the Importance of TrainingThe governor also shared his experience visiting areas affected by floods and landslides in South Tapanuli Regency in late 2025.
Despite severe damage across much of the region, he noted that no fatalities were recorded there, unlike in several neighboring areas.
Bobby attributed this outcome to the preparedness and quick response of a local village head who had previously participated in a Basarnas training program.
"More than half of the area was affected by flooding and landslides, yet there were no fatalities, only injuries. In neighboring regions, many people lost their lives. When I asked the village head about it, he explained that he had previously attended Basarnas training and implemented the procedures he learned during the disaster," Bobby said.
According to the governor, the incident demonstrates how professional disaster-response training can directly contribute to saving lives. He therefore encouraged village heads throughout North Sumatra to actively participate in similar programs.
Basarnas Strengthens Cross-Sector CollaborationBasarnas Chief Mohammad Syafii emphasized that the agency cannot handle Indonesia's disaster-response challenges on its own.
He pointed to the significant gap between the agency's current workforce and the number of personnel required nationwide.
"We recognize that we cannot work alone. Basarnas currently has only around 6,500 personnel, while Indonesia ideally requires approximately 29,000. Therefore, we continue to strengthen cooperation with ministries, government institutions, and, as demonstrated today, village administrations. They are our most important frontline partners during emergencies," Syafii said.
He stressed that collaboration among the central government, regional administrations, state agencies, and local communities is essential to improving disaster-response capabilities.
Training village officials, he added, is one of the most effective ways to expand the reach and effectiveness of rescue operations across the country.
SUPPORT FOR STRONGER DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: North Sumatra Regional Legislative Council Speaker Erni Ariyanti Sitorus and regional officials attend the Basarnas training program and support efforts to strengthen village-level disaster preparedness. (PHOTO: Imam Syahputra)
Broad Support for the Training ProgramThe Basarnas event was attended by a number of prominent officials and representatives from various government institutions.
Among those present were North Sumatra Regional Legislative Council Speaker Erni Ariyanti Sitorus, Head of the Basarnas Human Resources Development and Training Center Anggit Mulyo Santoso, and Tuanku Sultan Mahmud Aria Lamantjiji Perkasa Alam Shah.
Representatives from district and municipal governments across North Sumatra, regional agency officials, and Basarnas personnel also participated in the event.
The broad participation reflected a shared commitment to building an integrated and sustainable disaster-management system.
The provincial government expects the training programs to enhance the capabilities of village administrations over the long term and strengthen community resilience against natural disasters.
North Sumatra Prioritizes Disaster PreparednessDisaster preparedness has become one of the key priorities in North Sumatra's regional development agenda.
Through the new incentive scheme for certified village heads, the provincial government hopes to encourage local leaders to continuously improve their skills in rescue operations and crisis management.
The program forms part of a broader strategy to reduce disaster-related casualties and improve community readiness during emergencies.
According to the provincial government, successful disaster response depends not only on professional rescue personnel but also on the preparedness and responsiveness of local communities.
Through this initiative, North Sumatra aims to establish a faster, more adaptive, and community-oriented disaster-management system capable of providing greater protection for its residents. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Darmailawati | EDITOR: Fik Sagala