TWO emergency response offices in Mandaue City conducted a firefighting simulation on Saturday, March 13, 2021, to help prepare their personnel for real-life incidents.
Personnel of the Mandaue City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Mandaue City Fire Station held the simulation near two big commercial establishments in Barangay Guizo.
Around 60 CDRRMO personnel, 10 Mandaue City firefighters, and 20 tanods (watchmen) from Barangay Guizo participated in the simulation.
Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and Mandaue City Fire Marshal Nelson Ababon were also present during the simulation.
Cortes said the simulation is part of the training program of both offices which could help in enhancing their firefighting and disaster response.
He said since the local fire department has expertise when it comes to responding to fires, they could share their skills with the CDRMMO personnel.
Cortes added that the close coordination between the two offices aims to prevent any miscommunication that might occur during an actual fire incident.
New equipment
Aside from close camaraderie with the CDRRMO, Ababon said the simulation was also an opportunity for his personnel to learn how they can use their new vehicles and equipment that were purchased by the City.
During the simulation, the two units would show their skills while encountering “stressors” or those trying to disrupt their operation.
Buddy Allain Ybañez, Mandaue CDRRMO head, said that aside from their personnel, they also included Barangay Guizo’s tanods in their simulation to also show the results of their training.
Since Guizo does not have a fire truck, Ybañez said they trained them in the bucket relay, which they could use during a fire incident before the BFP and CDRRMO arrive at the scene.
Ybañez said they will also provide firefighting training to other barangays that do not have firetrucks such as Barangays Alang-Alang, Bakilid, Cabancalan, Cambaro, Canduman, Casili, Casuntingan, Centro, Cubacub, Jagobiao, Labogon, Looc, Maguikay, Mantuyong, Opao, Subangdaku, Tawason and Tingub. (KFD)