Leadership coordinator of search and rescue mission on earthquake event in Palu central Sulawesi

Earthquake that destroyed Palu Central Sulawesi in 2018 led to the gradual transformation of Incident Commander (IC) in disaster response phase. The former IC was Military Resort Commander of Tadulako, then the throne was replaced by Commander of Military Region XIII positioned by Head of Staff of Indonesian Army (TNI). Furthermore, the existence post was not optimally practiced for the coordination purposes. The referred posts were established by the IC or by Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) as Search and Rescue (SAR) Mission Coordinator, Local Government as well as Non-Government Stakeholders. Leadership factor had become one of significant parameters towards the success of SAR implementation in 2018’s Palu catastrophe. This study aims to investigate the leadership on Head of SAR office as SAR Mission Coordinator. The position has vital role related to obligatory duty for earthquake and tsunami SAR mission in Palu, Donggala, Central Sulawesi. The method of this study applied descriptive qualitative combined with case study approach. Data was collected from field observation, focus group discussion and in-depth interview with the key figures when disaster occurred. Moreover, the study focused on exploring collaborative leadership conducted by the SAR Mission Coordinator in practicing a series of SAR activity even in pre-disaster through communication, coordination and partnership among relevant disaster enthusiasts. The leadership roles of SAR Mission Coordinator are urgently needed for SAR operation achievement. Such collaborative leadership is considerably relevant for disaster response phase, particularly on earthquake SAR operation. Collaborative leadership led by the IC, SAR Mission Coordinator, as well as other relevant field coordinators was implemented through coordination, communication and exchanged-information, as well as collaboratively undertaking activity before disaster and the response phase for betterment result. The innovation presumes to be effective in the case of SAR mission specifically for earthquake event. © 2021, World Research Association. All rights reserved.