Through the community service program with the UI Action for the Nation scheme, the Department of Geosciences, FMIPA UI, is taking a role in efforts to increase community preparedness for disaster events, one of which is through the Community Service (Pengmas) program with the theme “Socialization and Simulation of the University of Indonesia Disaster Mitigation School (SEMIBEN UI)”. The activity was held on 19-20 December 2020 in Ciwaru Village, Ciemas District, Sukabumi Regency, West Java, involving Junior High School (SMP) students in the area as participants.

Dr. Eng. Supriyanto, Head of the Geoscience Department, FMIPA UI, as well as the head of the community service team, said, “Ciwaru Village, Sukabumi is one of the areas estimated to be affected by the potential for a tsunami that is close to the coast. In addition, this village is also close to several tourist areas that are quite busy, so it is necessary to strengthen disaster mitigation in the form of socialization.”

Furthermore, he said that the socialization that he and his team carried out focused on the potential disasters that would occur from a geological and geophysical perspective that would be easily understood by the public.

This activity also received appreciation from the local government. Anita Mulyani as the Head of BPBD Sukabumi revealed that Sukabumi Regency has complex disaster potential such as landslides, tsunamis, earthquakes, and tornadoes, so this activity is very helpful in terms of early understanding to the community.

“We are very grateful and appreciate this program. Because our area is prone to natural disasters, this program is very important as a community insight into disaster preparedness,” added Anita.

Socialization and simulation activities are carried out with the hope of broadening the local community’s insight into disasters that often threaten their areas at any time. With disaster knowledge, the community can identify the right actions to deal with them.

The activity began with a general presentation of the material. The team displayed and demonstrated the process of earthquakes and tsunamis caused by the dynamic nature of the earth’s movement. The material continued with disaster mitigation and simulations and reminded that disaster mitigation procedures are carried out with Health protocols during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In order for the presentation material of socialization and mitigation to be easily remembered and understood by the participants, the community service team tried to present various interesting presentation methods, such as showing interesting simulation videos, everyday analogies that are closely related to disasters, and various educational games.