Dagupan gets 95% rating for emergency preparedness
AN earthquake and fire drill conducted by the Dagupan City government on Tuesday as part of the celebration of the Disaster Consciousness Month earned a 95% rating from the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC).
Director Eugene Cabrera of the Office of Civil Defense regional office said it was the highest rating they have so far given among local government units in Region 1 undertaking similar drills.
Cabrera said the participants from various agencies came prepared and tackled their respective roles in “saving lives and properties” with precision.
The simulated drill started at 9:00 a.m. with a mock fire set off at the CAP Building along Burgos.
‘Smoke’ bellowed from the top floor of the building and out came ‘survivors’ with hands covering their noses, many of them limping.
On cue, ‘survivors’ were immediately assisted by Emergency Operation Center (EOC) marshals. A couple of minutes later, a portable generator and ambulances arrived.
Six minutes after the ‘fire’ began, a fire truck arrived although it took another six minutes for the firemen to set up a ladder to reach the building’s second floor.
A couple more minutes later, a ‘severely injured victim’ was rescued from the ‘burning’ structure. Three more ‘victims’ were pulled out and brought to the Triage Area where they were attended to by paramedics and partially treated while awaiting the service ambulance to transport the victims to the hospital.
The ‘blaze’ was declared out exactly thirty minutes later.
Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. said the drill helped all those involved in emergency response prepare for a real eventuality.
“Nahahasa (sila) in the role-play in disaster response,” he said, adding “Dagupan aims to become one of the most prepared and equipped cities for emergency procedures.”—Sunshine Erfe, UPang
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
