INDOPOSCO.ID – The deaths of four people in a forest and land fire in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) have drawn expressions of concern from Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR RI). A comprehensive review of disaster response systems and field personnel safety standards is urgently needed to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.
Dini Rahmania, a member of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives, said the deaths of three personnel and one volunteer while fighting the fire in the Bromo area represented not only the loss of four lives but also a profound tragedy for the families they left behind.
She said the victims had set out to help protect the environment and the community, only to lose their lives while carrying out a humanitarian mission.
“The loss of four lives must not be treated as an inevitable risk of disaster response. A comprehensive review of the command system, equipment readiness, and safety procedures for personnel and volunteers in the field is essential,” Dini said in a statement on Sunday (October 18, 2026).
The politician from the NasDem Party faction urged all relevant agencies to respond to disasters more swiftly, systematically, and in a coordinated manner. She stressed that inadequate facilities, poor preparedness, and delays in response must not once again endanger the lives of personnel on the front lines.
Dini also called for a comprehensive assessment of command structures, risk mapping, and emergency rescue mechanisms. The review, she said, is necessary to ensure that every disaster response operation is carefully planned, with personnel safety as the top priority.
“If negligence in implementing safety standards is found, there must be clear accountability,” she said.
In addition to calling for technical reviews, Dini reminded the government not to neglect the rights of the victims and their bereaved families. The government must ensure that compensation is provided, the rights of the families of those who died are fulfilled, and injured victims receive the best possible treatment and rehabilitation.
She emphasized that the courage shown by personnel and volunteers in carrying out humanitarian missions must never be used as a reason to overlook their safety.
“The courage of personnel and volunteers must never be an excuse to disregard their safety. They are on the front lines protecting us, so the state must step in to protect them,” she said.
Dini expressed hope that the tragedy in the Bromo area would serve as a turning point for the government to strengthen preparedness and protection systems for all disaster response operations across Indonesia.
“No more lives should be lost because of inadequate preparedness and protection in the field,” she said.
Earlier, four people were reported dead while attempting to extinguish a forest and land fire in TNBTS. The victims were identified as Sukaris, a service operator at Section I of the TNBTS Management Office; Hendra Rony Wagiyanata, a TNBTS officer who died after receiving medical treatment for burn injuries; and Wisnu Yuda Pratama and Sefriel Ardiansyah, security officers at Artotel Bromo Hotel. (nas)
