Inter-Agency Collaboration in Building Urban Fire Resilience in Indonesia: How Do Metropolitan Cities Address It?

Ahmad Harakan ^1* Yusuf Adam Hilman ² A Junaedi Karso ¹ Awaluddin Awaluddin ¹ Nurhalijah Nurhalijah ¹ Indah Sidrawaty Muin ¹ Aldy Nurdiansyah B ¹ Arfan Fadillah ¹ Rudi Hardi ¹ Muhammad Raynaldi ³ Restu Hayati ³

• ¹ Muhammadiyah University of Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia
• ² Muhammadiyah University of Ponorogo, Ponorogo, Indonesia
• ³ Corvinus University of Budapest, Budapest, Budapest, Hungary

Urban fire disasters present a significant challenge to city resilience and sustainability, particularly in the Global South, where rapid urbanization exacerbates existing vulnerabilities. In Indonesia, recurring fire incidents, ranging from forest fires to residential fires in densely populated areas, underscore the urgent need for effective fire disaster management. This study focuses on Makassar, a metropolitan city facing increasing fire risks due to high population density, aging infrastructure, and limited preparedness. Analysis of fire incident data from 2018 to 2023 reveals a concerning rise in fire occurrences, resulting in socio-economic impacts such as fatalities and property damage. The research identifies critical deficiencies in inter-agency collaboration, including issues with coordination, communication, and resource allocation, which hinder effective disaster response. Drawing on qualitative data from interviews and historical analysis, the study examines collaboration mechanisms and challenges posed by differing organizational cultures. By evaluating global fire resilience models, the research proposes a governance framework to enhance inter-agency cooperation. The findings advocate for integrated strategies that combine infrastructure development with community-driven initiatives to strengthen Makassar’s capacity to prevent, respond to, and recover from fire disasters, ultimately promoting long-term sustainable urban development.