SECURITY forces conducted an air evacuation simulation exercise as preparation to respond to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in remote areas.
Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) chief of public information office Lieutenant Colonel Ezra Balagtey said Eastmincom through the Tactical Operations Wing-Eastern Mindanao (TOW-EM) conducted the two-day exercise on April 21 to 22 at the Davao Air Station, Sasa, Davao City.
“The exercise was meant to evaluate the current doctrine, organization, training, material, and personnel of the command in the conduct of air evacuation relative to the present protocols and procedures being adopted and implemented in the fight against Covid-19,” Balagtey said.
The activity also seeks to promote improved inter-operations among the command's air units with other member agencies, offices, and organizations in the task force fighting Covid-19.
During the exercise, participants simulated Covid-19 scenarios that may arise during the rainy season and other possible natural calamities like patient extraction in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (Gida).
Balagtey said the personnel conducted heliborne operations, patient evacuation, wearing and removing procedure of personal protective device (PPE), and other relevant safety procedures.
In attendance during the activity were personnel from the Department of Health in Davao Region, Davao City 911, Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Davao, and other rescue organizations. Representatives were invited to participate and to give critique as part of enhancement and procedural modification.
As of 5 p.m. on April 25, DOH-Davao Center for Health Development reports five new cases of Covid-19 in Davao City, bringing the total number of cases in the region to 120 while two new recoveries in Davao City were also reported with a total of 65 recoveries regionwide.
In Davao City which is the epicenter in Davao Region for Covid-19, there are now a total of 101 cases with 33 active cases and 50 recoveries as of April 25.