To enhance the barangay responder’s search and rescue capability, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) continues to conduct Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) training for the city’s barangay responders.

Wilson Sumagaysay Jr., a Rescue Technician of CDRRMO’s Urban Search and Rescue Unit, said training is essential for barangay responders and volunteers for them to be ready and to react swiftly in times of emergencies.

He said the Urban Search and Rescue Unit offers three days of training on vehicle accident rescue, three days of training on life search and rescue, five days of basic water safety training, five days of flood rescue training, five days of first responder rescue training, and swiftwater training for technicians.

He said they also teach participants the fundamental equipment to be used in emergencies.

He added that orientations are also conducted in schools.

“Naa pod ta’y mga orientations, naa man gu’y naga-request nga schools. Naga-request sila’g orientations [like] kung unsa dapat ang buhaton as a rescuer, then naa po’y basic rappelling nga ginahatag nato (We also have orientations in schools because some schools request them. They request orientations like what a rescuer should do, and we also give them basic rappelling instruction),” he said in an interview with the city-owned Davao City Disaster Radio.

Eduardo Guiltiano Jr., Team leader of CDRRMO’s Urban Search and Rescue Unit, said their services include confined space response, electrocution, road accident rescue, drowning cases, and rope rescue.

He said rescuers are also deployed to other locations to conduct search and rescue operations.

He added that through the training, the CDRRMO was able to conserve resources because barangay responders are already capable of handling small rescue cases on their own.

“Out of 182 barangays, kanang gina-train nato, naa’y mga minor nga cases nga ma-cater lang pod nila (Out of 182 barangays that we train, there are minor cases that they can cater to),” he said.

He also clarified that although some barangay responders are trained, there are still instances wherein only rescue technicians are permitted to save the victim to ensure the responders’ safety.

“Naa man gu’y mga case nga [for example] nabangga sa poste, so [naay] electrical involvement. So, ang mga tao aware pod sila nga dili nila kuwaon, even ang mga barangay responders, yong volunteers. Unsafe siya, so dili gyud sila pwede mu-engage (There are also cases that for example, someone struck a pole, so there is electrical involvement. So, the people are aware that they are not allowed, even the barangay responders and the volunteers. They cannot engage since it’s dangerous),” he said.

Sumagaysay also said they still have a training in Maa planned for this week, and a water rescue training for Apex Mining staff members scheduled this month. CIO