Bontoc, Mountain Province – The Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU) through its Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) in partnership with the La Trinidad MDRRMO in Benguet Province have recently conducted a five-day training course on Rope Rescue Operations on August 16-20, 2021 in this capital town.
In his message, Executive Assistant to the Office of the Municipal Mayor, Julian Chumacog reminded the participants of the spirit of volunteerism and the generosity in sharing the skills and knowledge to be learned in this training course to the constituents of our municipality.
With the aim to provide higher level of skills competency during rescue operations, six highly skilled members of the La Trinidad, Benguet Accredited Community Disaster Volunteers (LT-ACDC) shared their expertise on Rope Rescue Operations Training to the 26 participants of the Bontoc LGU trained emergency responders.
Prior to the introduction of the trainers, MDRRM Officer Johanna Padaen gave a short profile on the milestone of the LT-ACDV to the participants.
The La Trinidad ACDV is a non-profit organization, rendering volunteer services in the Municipality of La Trinidad and is a partner of the La Trinidad MDRRMO. The organization is guided by their motto, “we don’t teach, we share”. They are composed of individuals thoroughly trained on medical services, rescue operations and scuba diving. A notable initiative started by LT-ACDV is the “1 responder per household” project aimed to have one member of the household trained on first aid and basic life support and to be confident in performing basic skills learned. In recognition to their commendable service, dedication and commitment, LT-ACDV were recognized as one the Cordillera’s best volunteer groups in December 2018 during the search for outstanding volunteers in the Philippines given by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) under the National Economic Development Authority. The trainers are Reisty Glenn Awal, William Capya-ao, Jr., Drexel Kerry Pawid, Dave Montes, Ray Jordan Montes, and Edison Catnas.
It can be recalled that the same participants have undergone the basic search and rescue skills on Mountain and Water Rescue training in October 2019 with the same trainers. This skills training is an advanced skills training on rope rescue operations.
Physical and mostly outdoor activities were the training methodology of the five-day training course. The topics discussed along with demonstration and mock simulation activities during the training include review on mechanical advantage, low and high directional rope rescue operations, traverse high line system and mid-lowering system, types of rope access such as A-frame, tripod, and picket system.
A night operation collapsed- structure search and rescue operations were simulated during the training course to review the participant’s capabilities and knowledge on emergency rescue operations and the interoperability of the Incident Command System. Group and individual skills evaluation was given to the participants.
During the closing ceremonies, Municipal Legal Officer, Atty. Seichi Ofo-ob who represented Mayor Franklin Odsey expressed his utmost gratitude to the La Trinidad LGU through its MDRRMO for allowing the highly skilled trainers to share their expertise to the trained emergency responders of the Bontoc LGU. Ofo-ob pledged to the participants that after this training course, the completers shall share the lessons and skills learned to the constituents of the municipality especially at the barangay level.
MDRRM Officer Padaen also expressed her gratitude to the same for their staunch support in the programs and activities of the Bontoc LGU particularly on the DRRM activities. She further thanked the said LGU for their cost sharing scheme in this five-day activity shouldering the transportation of the trainers from their arrival and up to their departure in the municipality.
Meanwhile, representatives in each group also expressed their gratitude to the trainers and to the Bontoc LGU for allowing this advanced skills training opportunity to the trained emergency responders of the Bontoc LGU.
The participants acknowledged that the training strengthens the spirit of volunteerism during emergency rescue operations. Also, the participants expressed high hopes for the continuity or similar skills activities in the coming years. // Meilyn Shalom A. Ayan, Bontoc LGU
