THE Cagayan de Oro City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD) has acquired new equipment for the search and rescue operations in times of disaster like earthquakes.
CDRRMD head Nick Jabagat said its office has just received a new set of equipment to help them in their search and rescue operations in the event when a structure collapses.
Among the newly-acquired equipment are K12 cut off saw, circular saw, reciprocating saw, concrete/steel chain saw, demolition hammer, chipping hammer, air hammer rescue, hydraulic pump, and a vibra phone and scope.
All of these are used specifically when a certain building collapses and people are trapped inside.
These equipment would increase the chances of getting the victims alive, he said.
"The vibra phone detects vibration, so it can hear anything even just a small movement as long as it produces vibration. Once we locate the victims, we will then make an inspection hole where we will place the vibra scope to see the victims and communicate with them," Jabagat said.
He said only a few of the cities all over the country have these sophisticated rescue equipment.
Jabagat said while the city is ready for these rescue operations, they are still hoping that such disaster will not happen.
"Ang importante ready lang gyud ta kay dili ta exempted sa pagtay-og. Kung ma-observe nato, nag-earthquake na sa eastern part, western part, gatuyok na sa atoa," he added.
Jabagat said aside from their modern equipment, about 40 of their personnel are also trained for the collapsed structure search and rescue operation.
City Administrator Teddy Sabuga-a said modernizing the CDRRMD is one of Mayor Oscar Moreno's priority.
He said it is only in the administration of Moreno when the rescue office was made into a department and was poured with funds for its modernization.
"Ang tuyo ni Mayor Moreno, we have to be ready always in times of disasters and be a resilient city," he added.