As part of the month-long observance of the National Disaster Resilience Month, the Philippine Red Cross held a Mass Casualty Incident Training and Simulation Exercise at Tinajeros Elementary School in Malabon City.
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake scenario tested the resilience and overall emergency response capacity of PRC’s RC143 volunteer nurses and firefighters, city government of Malabon, and other agencies in managing a mass casualty incident.
PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon is a staunch advocate of 4 Ps: Predict, Plan, Prepare, and Practice to achieve resilience, and the drill is part of his 4 Ps. Gordon launched the idea of MCI simulation to prepare people for any eventuality such as The Big One.
PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang highlighted the importance of self-sufficiency within communities and pointed out the ongoing programs of PRC in ensuring that each community has trained first-aiders.
“Our goal is to make sure that every community has trained first-aiders and volunteers who can serve as first responders.”
“Communities’ geographical environments often hamper response and relief efforts. It is, therefore, important to train people on how to manage an emergency independently. Our goal is to make sure that every community has trained first-aiders and volunteers who can serve as first responders. Through this, we can provide immediate response, reducing the danger of serious injury and loss of lives during a mass casualty incident,” Pang added.
Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval expressed her gratitude to PRC for supporting and facilitating the MCI simulation exercise in Malabon.
“Layon po nito na mas bigyan pa ng kasanayan ang ating kawani ukol sa first aid at mabilisang responde sa anumang sakuna.”
“Layon po nito na mas bigyan pa ng kasanayan ang ating kawani ukol sa first aid at mabilisang responde sa anumang sakuna,” Sandoval said.
“Maraming salamat sa lahat ng nakiisa at naglaan ng kanilang oras para sa aktibidad na ito. Sa tuwing may sakuna, ibayong pag-iingat ang kailangan,” the lady mayor concluded.
