Integration of Participatory Action Research Approaches in Realizing Disaster Preparedness

The research problem is that disaster-resilient villages (Destana) experience difficulties in realizing the parameters of an early warning system and mobilizing resources for disaster preparedness. The research aims to facilitate the Destana forum in realizing elements of an early warning system and resource mobilization in the disaster preparedness phase. These two parameters are priority parameters based on selection using the Quadrant of Difficulty and Usefulness analysis approach. The type of research that has been carried out is Action Research, with a Participatory Action Research (PAR) design. The research population was 150 Destana forum administrators. The research locations are in Ngelang and Jajar villages, Kartoharjo subdistrict, Alastuwo subdistrict, Poncol subdistrict and Randugede village, Plaosan subdistrict. The selection of research locations was based on the village disaster risk index. The object of the research is the forum's ability to prepare village resilience assessment documents, early warning system procedures and contingency plans and to establish a command structure for disaster emergency management, to develop disaster event scenarios and to prepare rehearsal operation plans for disaster emergency response simulations. The research was conducted from February to June 2024. Action research procedures include planning, implementation, observation and reflection stages. The research results illustrate that the integration of participatory action studies can empower the Destana forum in realizing disaster preparedness parameters. Participation of participants in each stage of the cycle was very good. The PAR approach can build collective responsibility in realizing community-based disaster preparedness.