WITH its personnel trained by certified European paramedics, the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF) is now more capable of responding to emergencies during a terror attack.
The pronouncement was made by Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña through a Facebook post dated June 10. The mayor and some City Hall officials are currently in the Netherlands as Cebu City celebrates its 25th anniversary as sister-cities with Dutch City Haarlemmermeer.
“This is more than a simple cultural exchange or diplomatic tie. This has resulted in the improvement of our city, with ERUF being just one example. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were the most capable paramedical organization in the Philippines,” he said.
Osmeña, who was invited to witness a demonstration by ERUF, said the responders now have the capability to rescue people trapped in a vehicle flipped by a bomb or crushed so badly, the doors won’t open.
The responders have also been trained to dismantle these cars to a point where doctors can operate on a badly injured, immobile victim inside the car.
“It’s really something to be proud of. They are not only trained here in Netherlands, they are trained to such high standards that many of them are certified to train European paramedics. They are truly world-class and this is because of the generosity of Haarlemmermeer,” Osmeña said.
In a related development, the citizens of Haarlemmermeer have raised around P300,000 along with supplies and hospital equipment for the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC).
Alvin Dizon, the consultant of the mayor in sister-city concerns, said books, paintings, cakes, concert tickets, bike tour with the mayor of Haarlemmermeer, and free dinner in Cebu with Osmeña were among the auctioned items.
Dizon said the proceeds will go to the children’s ward of CCMC.