Good Public Communications Are Key to the Success of Disaster Mitigation

Abstract

Padang city is located in a disaster-prone area. The earthquake that hit the city of Padang on September 30, 2009, recorded 383 people who died due to the quake. Since then, the local government strives to reduce the death rate during a disaster by providing disaster information to the public. This study aims to analyze the optimization of disaster communication by the disaster management office Padang city (BPBD) on disaster mitigation. This study is qualitative with descriptive methods, intended to understand the phenomenon experienced by research subjects. The results showed that BPBD Padang City had built good and intensive communication with the Padang City community. That can be seen from the existence of a special section of the BPBD that is tasked with disseminating information related to disaster mitigation, namely the disaster prevention and preparedness section. Also, the material presented was well prepared, involving experts in the field of disasters and NGOs. Furthermore, in conveying information to the public, BPBD uses a variety of media or channels, such as discussion forums, radio, television, social media (Facebook, wag), billboards, and making a "tsunami save zone" road markings to make people understand how to save themself if a disaster occurs. This disaster mitigation socialization has been carried out to the community of 15,000 houses and 50 urban villages in the tsunami red zone. This has an impact on reducing the number of people who exodus to outside Padang City.