LINGAYEN, Pangasinan The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) recently submitted its emergency responders to an Advanced Underwater Search and Rescue (AUSAR) training to capacitate them for high-level disaster response.
PDRRMO Spokesperson Avenix Arenas said the two-week rigid training which started third week of September accommodated 20 Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) crewmen from PDDRMO while others were sent by local government units.
The training supervised by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) – Special Operations Group formed part of the scheduled activities held in observance of the National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM) last July.
Completing PDRRMO’s capability enhancement training for its emergency responders, Governor Amado I. Espino, III on July 11 during the provincial kick-off program of NDRM presented sets of new rescue equipment and vehicles procured by the provincial government.
Governor Espino likewise unveiled the barracks for the PDRRMO – WASAR team which is located at the back of the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center grandstand southwing as he also led the distribution of WASAR kits to the emergency responders which contained leatherized rescue gloves, cap, lousy caps, water sandals, aluminum mess kit, commando scuba shorts, reflectorized raincoat and vest and others.
“The advanced training levelled up the endurance and agility of the WASAR crewmen,” said Arenas.
A wrap up of their learning, the WASAR crewmen undergone a 24-hour intense training on August 3 until the dawn of August 4 described as ‘hell night’ where their endurance was severely tested.
Sharing the best practices of Pangasinan PDRRMO in disaster response, WASAR crewmen conducted a search and rescue simulation drill during the Red Alert Emergency Expo of ABS-CBN held at Capitol Resort Hotel in Lingayen on July 29.
By Dexter A. See