Brimob Polda Riau Uses Breathing Apparatus to Fight Forest and Land Fires in Kampar

Kampar: The personnel of the Riau Provincial Police Mobile Brigade used portable breathing apparatus when carrying out fire-fighting and fire-suppression operations for forest and land fires in Rimbo Panjang Village, Tambang District, Kampar Regency, Tuesday, 25th August 2026.

The respiratory support equipment was used to protect personnel working in areas with thick smoke, especially while patrolling and carrying out fire-suppression operations on peatland.

The Mobile Brigade Unit Commander (Dansat Brimob) of Riau Provincial Police Headquarters, Kombes I Ketut Gede Adi Wibawa, said as many as 40 sets of portable breathing apparatus were prepared to support personnel who are involved in tackling forest and land fires.

“Our personnel are directly exposed to smoke when carrying out fire-fighting and fire-suppression. Therefore, the respiratory protection becomes really important, especially when a personnel must go to the spot with a very thick fire exposure,” said Ketut.

That equipment uses a six-liter compressed-air cylinder that can be used for around 35-45 minutes, depending on the personnel’s activity and respiratory level.

According to Ketut, that equipment provided personnel with greater mobility to reach areas that still require assistance without ignoring safety factors.

“With this equipment, the personnel still get the oxygen supply when working amidst the thick smoke. It is really helpful when the personnel must carry out firefighting or fire suppression in spots with high exposure to smoke,” he explained.

The use of breathing apparatus becomes important, remembering the characteristic of the burnt land in Rimbo Panjang is thick peat.

Although the surface fire has been extinguished, embers remain underground and reignite. That means personnel must comb through affected areas and approach spots that are still emitting smoke.

“The extinguishing is not finished just because the fire is no longer visible. In the peat land, we must ensure the embers beneath the surface have also completely died out. With adequate protection, the personnel can work more optimally, of course by continuing to prioritize the safety procedure,” said Ketut.

Besides portable breathing apparatus, Brimob Polda Riau also prepared 40 sets of forest and land fire equipment, such as helmets, torches, and shoes, to ensure safety and mobility on the ground.

Brimob Polda Riau sent 45 personnel to the operation in Rimbo Panjang. They joined forces with the Kampar District Police (Polres Kampar), Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Manggala Agni, and companies. In total, 283 joint personnel were divided into ten teams to carry out firefighting and fire suppression operations.

Ketut emphasized that protection of personnel is an important part of forest and land management operations; moreover, the personnel have to cope with the heat and exposure to heat for quite a long time.

“Our target is that our fire-fighting and fire-suppression operations must be completed. But the personnel’s safety also cannot be ignored. The personnel must be able to work to the fullest and come back in a healthy and safe condition,” he stressed.


(Khairunissa Auliya)