IN THE pursuit of pushing for a disaster-ready city, Angeles Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. led the distribution of Emergency Medical Service (EMS) trauma bags to the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in the 33 villages.

This is part of the city’s celebration of Disaster Resilience Month, with the theme “Maging Listo, Laging Handa sa Panahon ng Sakuna.”

“We aim to build a disaster-ready city where the safety of Angeleños is our utmost priority,” Lazatin said.

“Habang sineseguro natin ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan, nais din natin ang kahandaan ng bawat isa sa panahon ng sakuna,” he added.

In relation to this, the EMS bags, also known as lifeline bags, will serve as equipment bags designed for responders and rescuers who may be treating patients with traumatic injuries, or those who have lesser physical injuries such as wounds, lacerations, abrasions, sprain, strains, pulled muscle, and possible fractures.

Inside the bags are useful supplies that can withstand harsh conditions in the field like gauze pads, cotton balls, alcohol swab, iodine swab stick, micropore tape, leucoplast, elastic bandage, tweezers, hot packs, cold packs, sam splint, trauma scissors, set of oropharyngeal airway, bag valve mask, stethoscopes, pulse oximeter, thermal blanket, BP apparatus set, and thermometer.

Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer-in-Charge Rodolfo Simeon, who assisted Lazatin during the distribution with personnel and City Councilors Marino Bañola and JC Aguas, said this is an effort of the City Government to encourage residents and officials at the grassroots level to put a priority on disaster prevention and preparedness.

To date, six BDRRMCs have already received their EMS trauma bags. The distribution in the 27 remaining barangays will follow suit.

Part of Lazatin’s priority programs is strengthening the city’s preparedness in the occurrence of disasters. In fact, the City Government has been active in participating in the quarterly National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill.

There are also equipment available at the city’s ACDDRMO for safety, rescue, and medical purposes in the event of a disaster. (PR)