The National Military (TNI) and the US Army Pacific Command (US ARPAC) on Monday kicked off a five-day joint workshop and simulation to fight fires that recently destroyed forest and land in Riau.

The event will be held from Monday to Friday and will feature dozens of TNI personnel, 13 officers from the US ARPAC, and hundreds of representatives from 33 institutions in the province.

Lt. Col. Jorry S. Koloay from the TNI said that the joint event was divided into two sessions --- workshop and simulation.

“ During the workshop, both the TNI and the US ARPAC will share techniques on how to combat the fires. We will then conduct a simulation to fight fire at Pasir Putih village, Kampar Regency,” Jorry said during the opening of the workshop.

He added this was the third time the TNI had cooperated with the US ARPAC in dealing with natural disasters.

“We carried out similar practice in Pelabuhan Ratu, West Java in 2007. And the second practice was done to help prepare for the event of tsunami in Padang a year later,” he said.