2nd Mech IB, volunteers undergo disaster management training

Monday 13th of August 2012

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, Aug 13 (PIA) — Around 40 enlisted personnel of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry (Magbalantay) Brigade and seven volunteers from the Philippine Red Cross, Iligan City Chapter completed a disaster management training last August 10.

Colonel Ricardo B. Jalad of Light Armor Division of the Philippine Army (PA) said the one-month disaster risk reduction and management training aims to have qualified and skilled personnel who can be employed during calamity or disaster that may hit the Lanao Province and the city of Iligan.

"For our training venue, we had it done at the brigade’s headquarter in Maria Cristina, Iligan City, and some appropriate places conducive for land and water-based training," Jalad said.

The following courses discussed were introduction to first aid, and guidelines in giving emergency care, given by the Philippine Red Cross, Iligan City Chapter; ropemanship, and vehicular accident extrication by the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office of Iligan; fire rescue operations by the Bureau of Fire Protection; K-9 rescue operations by the K-9 Unit; and lectures on water safety, and rescue skills and demonstration.

The Coast Guard Special Operations Unit-Northern Mindanao focused its discussion on rubber boat handling and maintenance, lifesaving techniques approaches and dry runs.

The maritime police station of Iligan discussed water survival, rescue, boat handling and techniques for when a vehicle capsizes.

The role of responder was discussed by the Iligan City Police Office, while the Internal Peace and Security Plan was tackled by the commanding officer of the 15th IB, PA.

The graduation day was highlighted with the turn over of two sets of rubber boats with outboard motor and accessories from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, through the Office of the Civil Defense, which were received by Col. Jalad. (2nd Mech Bde/PIA-LDN, LVG)