Five Golds: PPA's ERT Retains the Overall Title at the 20th IFRC

TANAH BUMBU — PT Putra Perkasa Abadi (PPA) retained the overall champion title at the 20th Indonesia Fire and Rescue Challenge (IFRC) 2023, held at Site Borneo Indobara in Tanah Bumbu, South Kalimantan on 11–12 September 2023. The win is PPA's second in a row at the mining safety competition, after taking the overall title at the 19th IFRC in Banyuwangi, East Java last year.

The 20th IFRC was contested by 24 emergency response teams from mining companies and mining contractors across Indonesia. Participating teams included PT Adaro Indonesia, PT Freeport Indonesia, PT Putra Perkasa Abadi, PT Antareja Mahada Makmur, PT Kalimantan Prima Persada, PT Cipta Kridatama, PT Berau Coal, PT Nusa Halmahera Mineral, PT Agincourt Resources, PT Bukit Asam Tbk, PT Bumi Makmur Mandiri Utama, PT Asmin Bara Bronang, PT Arutmin Indonesia, PT Kaltim Prima Coal, PT Tunas Inti Abadi, PT Indominco Mandiri, PT Riung Mitra Lestari, PT Mandiri Inti Perkasa, PT Antam Tbk, PT Kideco Jaya Agung, PT Pama Persada Nusantara, PT Thiess Contractors Indonesia and host PT Borneo Indobara.

Eight challenge categories were contested this time: High Angle Rescue (HAR), Structural Fire Fighting (SFF), Confined Space Rescue (CSR), Mud Rescue (MDR), Road Accident Rescue (RAR), Underwater Rescue & Recovery Challenge (UWRRC), Firefighter Combat Challenge (FCC) and Firefighter Competency Test (FCT).

In his remarks, the Head of Mine Inspectors at the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Sunindyo Suryo Herdadi, expressed the Ministry's support — and that of the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal in particular — for the IFRC.

"Kegiatan ini adalah salah satu kegiatan yang sangat kami dukung, karena menjadi ajang berbagi dan peningkatan skill tim tanggap darurat perusahaan. Ini juga bentuk dari keseriusan pemerintah meningkatkan kualitas pelayanan kita dari tim ESDM Siaga Bencana karena tantangan kita ke depan cukup kompleks," said Sunindyo on the sidelines of the awards ceremony.

PPA kept up its dominance with 5 gold medals from the eight categories contested, earning it the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources trophy.

Second place in the 20th IFRC medal tally went to PT Freeport Indonesia with 2 golds and 2 silvers. In third place overall, PT Berau Coal took 1 gold.

PPA thanked all the teams that took part in the championship, along with everyone who has supported its journey to this achievement. The success is the result of the hard work and dedication of the PPA team and strong backing from all stakeholders.

"PT Putra Perkasa Abadi akan terus berusaha untuk menjadi yang terbaik dalam bidang Fire and Rescue, serta berkomitmen untuk terus memberikan layanan terbaik bagi masyarakat Indonesia. Kami berharap prestasi ini akan memberikan inspirasi dan semangat kepada generasi muda Indonesia untuk terus berprestasi dalam berbagai bidang," said Joko Triraharjo, PPA Operations Director, after the event.

Winning the overall title at the 20th IFRC earns the PPA team the right to represent Indonesia at the international Mining Emergency Response Competition to be held in Australia on 24–26 November 2023.

PPA to Host the 21st IFRC

Beyond taking the overall title at two consecutive IFRC competitions, PPA was also named host of next year's 21st edition. The host's baton was handed over symbolically from BIB to PPA on the sidelines of the IFRC closing ceremony. The 21st IFRC 2024 is planned for Balikpapan, East Kalimantan.

"Persiapan kami sebagai tuan rumah sudah mencapai 38%, mudah-mudahan tahun depan sudah siap digunakan untuk IFRC. Mohon doa, mohon support agar pelaksanaan IFRC tahun depan dipenuhi keberkahan, keamanan serta kelancaran dan semoga semakin banyak tim dan observer yang hadir. Sampai bertemu lagi tahun depan dalam 21st IFRC 2024 di PPA," said Joko Tri Raharjo in his remarks.

As host, PPA is committed to running the championship to the highest standard, providing adequate infrastructure and ensuring an unforgettable experience for every participant.

PPA invites all ERTs from across the country to join the 21st IFRC in 2024, to create an atmosphere of healthy competition and build a strong collaborative network in the shared effort to improve public safety. *