Strengthening the Forest and Land Fire Prevention Heroes: Training of Trainers for “Masyarakat Peduli Api (MPA)”- Community Fire Brigade

Masyarakat Peduli Api •

PALEMBANG, 12 - 15 January 2026, UNOPS and MoE in collaboration with PT SUCOFINDO, conducted the implementation of a Training of Trainers (ToT) on Forest and Land Fire Prevention and Control. The initiative aimed to strengthen the capacity of Masyarakat Peduli Api (MPA) — Community Fire Brigade as the primary actors in preventing and controlling forest and land fires. Forest and land fire remain one of the most pressing environmental challenges in Indonesia, particularly in regions with peatland ecosystems such as South Sumatra Province. Strengthening local capacity is therefore a critical investment, not only for environmental protection but also for safeguarding livelihoods and public health. In the training, over 30 intensive training hours, participants engaged in both classroom learning and hands-on practical sessions. The curriculum covered essential aspects of forest and land fire management, including: - Forest and land fire control policies - Early warning and detection systems - Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) - Incident Command Systems - Firefighting techniques and crew formation - Post-fire handling procedures - Reporting and coordination mechanisms The sessions were delivered by experts from the Regional Forest and Land Fire Control Center for Sumatra (Balai Pengendalian Kebakaran Hutan dan Lahan Wilayah Sumatera), bringing extensive operational experience directly into the training environment. Rather than focusing solely on theory, the program emphasized practical skills and real-world problem solving, as well as ensuring participants could apply knowledge immediately within their communities. The training actively involved 22 participants from fire-prone villages across the region. Interactive discussions were a key component of the training. Participants openly shared challenges they face in their communities, including limited access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), the need for stronger institutional recognition of MPA groups, and economic pressures that often drive land clearing through burning. The activity also generated key follow-up recommendations, including: - Strengthening knowledge of MPA groups in villages where institutional structures remain limited - Promoting alternative livelihood diversification without the use of burning - Strengthening early detection systems and routine patrol mechanisms In the training, the participants also create action plan in each their village. By translating training outcomes into concrete action plans, the initiative aims to ensure that increased knowledge leads to sustained community-based prevention efforts. Ultimately, preventing forest and land fires is not only about extinguishing flames , it is about building resilient communities capable of protecting their environment and securing their future. Through collaboration among government institutions, technical partners, and local communities, this Training of Trainers demonstrate how climate action can be grounded in community empowerment.

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