TRENGGALEK – The Trenggalek Fire Department continues to operate on the frontline of emergency response despite facing limited fire engines and a tight operational budget. Authorities say firefighters remain committed to protecting residents, even as resources fall short of ideal standards.
Wasis Widodo, Head of the Fire Division under the Trenggalek Civil Service Police Unit and Fire Department (Satpol PP and Fire Services), acknowledged that the current fleet is far from sufficient. The shortage becomes especially critical when handling large-scale fires.
“Our fleet is still inadequate. When major fires occur, we have to request support from other agencies,” Wasis said.
At present, the Trenggalek Fire Department operates only two primary fire engines and one water supply truck. As a result, officers must strategically divide responsibilities, with one unit assigned to extinguishing flames while the other two focus on water supply operations.
Despite the equipment constraints, the department maintains a team of 64 experienced personnel. According to Wasis, all firefighters are graduates of the national firefighting training center in Ciracas, a benchmark for professional fire service training in Indonesia.
“We have 64 personnel, all trained in Ciracas. They are fully certified and experienced,” he added.
Budget limitations further compound operational challenges. The department’s annual operational budget stands at approximately Rp 260 million (around USD 16,000), a figure officials say falls short of actual field requirements.
The allocation must cover vehicle maintenance, equipment procurement, and daily firefighting operations. “Our budget is about Rp 260 million per year, while the real needs exceed that amount. We have to maximize what we have,” Wasis concluded.
Despite these financial and logistical constraints, the Trenggalek Fire Department says it remains committed to delivering maximum service to the community, prioritizing rapid response and inter-agency coordination to ensure public safety.