PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) is preparing an earthquake disaster management simulation in the Cingised Rusunawa area, Arcamanik District on September 6, 2026.

This activity is part of the Bandung City BPBD's efforts to strengthen community capacity in facing potential disasters, especially earthquakes that can occur at any time.

The Head of the Bandung City Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Didi Ruswandi, stated that community preparedness is key to minimizing the impact of disasters. He noted that disasters cannot always be prevented, but the risk of damage and loss of life can be reduced by increasing community capacity.

"Disasters must be prevented, but the impact of damage and loss of life can be minimized. Two important factors are building vulnerability and human capacity," Didi said during a coordination meeting to prepare for the simulation at the Bandung City Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) office on Friday (August 28, 2026).

He explained that the simulation began with a Tabletop Exercise (TTX) to enhance understanding. This method teaches participants to understand disaster scenarios, role assignments, communication flows, and the steps to take in the event of an earthquake.

"Now we're upgrading to TTX, or Tabletop Exercise. We want to explain what we have to do, how the movements and coordination work. After that, we'll conduct the actual simulation," he said.

According to Didi, a simulation-based approach is crucial to ensure that disaster knowledge doesn't stop at socialization or theoretical understanding. The public needs experience to know what actions to take when facing an emergency.

"With simulation methods, YouTube, and other resources, we hope more people will understand what to do if an earthquake occurs, especially a seismic one. What to do?" he said.

Didi hopes that the activities at the Cingised Rusunawa will serve as lessons that can be applied in other neighborhoods in Bandung. Residents who participate in the activities will also be able to become agents of change in building a culture of disaster preparedness in their communities.

"Hopefully, after this, when other places request the same thing, you will be ready and able to serve as resource persons at other activities," he said.

He added that strengthening community capacity is also a form of collaboration in supporting the duties of the Bandung City BPBD, while also building community preparedness in facing potential disasters.

"You have assisted the BPBD and the Bandung City community in preparing together," said Didi.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/rka)