Implementing The “P3KU Mertion” Mobile App In Improving The Senior and Rover Scout’s Disaster Preparedness

Abstract

Indonesia’s geographical area which is vulnerable to various kinds of disasters remains a major concern. Given the extent of the dangers, disaster management is a critical issue that goes beyond the scope of single entities or institutions, requiring a comprehensive and inclusive approach including all sectors of society. Unfortunately, present disaster management systems are mostly focused on engagement from designated agencies, and there needs to be more active community involvement in emergency disaster response. This study aims to investigate the impact of disaster response training on the disaster preparation levels of the Senior and Rover scouts in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This study used a quasi-experimental approach with pre and post-training assessments without a control group. A total of 25 scouts participated in disaster response training, and their disaster readiness was evaluated both before and after the program. A disaster preparation questionnaire, a disaster response module, and a Simple Emergency Management (SEM) mobile app called “P3KU Mertion” were utilized in this study. The non-parametric Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test was used to evaluate the data. The study findings showed that disaster response training significantly impacted disaster readiness, with the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test providing a p-value of 0.000 (p 0.05), indicating statistical significance. These findings have the potential to serve as an innovative model for disaster response programs targeted at improving catastrophe preparedness. The study emphasizes the importance of active involevement and community engagement in disaster response programs to supplement the work of authorized organizations and institutions, establishing an all-inclusive approach to disaster management in Indonesia.