RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian emergency response capabilities gained international recognition after Australian mining rescuers learned underwater rescue techniques from the home nation's teams during Indonesia Mining Emergency Response Community (IMERC) 2026 in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, on Saturday, August 8, 2026.

Northern Star Resources (NTR) team captain Alice Burdett said her team gained valuable experience from Indonesian rescuers, particularly because underwater rescue is not included in standard mine rescue training in Australia.

“In Australia, we do not receive training in Under Water Rescue, so we learned a lot by watching the Indonesian team carry out the rescue,” Alice said on Saturday, August 8, as quoted by Antara.

In the competition scenario, rescuers had to save people whose vehicle had fallen into deep water by opening the doors, releasing seat belts and bringing victims to the surface for further treatment.

According to Alice, underwater rescue is not part of Australia's mine rescue training because Australian mines generally do not have bodies of water that could cause such fatalities.

“It is dry and hot there,” Alice added, noting that Indonesia's hot and humid conditions create different challenges for rescuers.

Northern Star Resources is a gold mining company based in Perth, Western Australia. Its IMERC 2026 team also included female rescuers in several challenge categories, reflecting the diverse composition of its emergency response unit.

Alice said IMERC 2026 provided new experience for her team through knowledge exchange with Indonesian rescuers who are accustomed to various field conditions.

On the third day of the event, NTR competed in Under Water Rescue and Recovery, Vertical Rescue and Confined Space Rescue. A day earlier, the team completed challenges including Fire Fighter Structure.

Alice also praised the Garuda Rescue Nusantara (GRN) training facility, which hosted IMERC 2026, for its comprehensive emergency simulation facilities.

“The building is impressive and the facilities are complete. Even in Australia, we do not have a building as grand and complete as GRN,” she said.

GRN has a swimming pool with different depths and water that can be changed quickly. The facility can also adjust water visibility to simulate conditions such as muddy rivers.

Australian paramedics Jen Pearce and Sue Steele, who helped establish IMERC, said the event was not merely a competition but also a platform for Indonesian and Australian Emergency Response Teams to learn from each other and improve emergency response standards.

Jen said IMERC 2026 participants had improved from the previous year, particularly in handling victims. Many teams now prioritize proper treatment rather than simply completing rescues quickly.

“Speed is certainly important, but being fast does not mean being careless. Fast and correct that is what matters,” said Sue, who has worked as a mining emergency medic for more than 20 years.

IMERC 2026 is being held from August 6-9, 2026, at the GRN training and simulation facility in Balikpapan. The collaboration is expected to strengthen emergency response skills, networks and preparedness in dealing with various situations in the field. ***