by Rene V. Carbayas
ISABELA CITY, Basilan, June 27 (PIA) – Members
of the 4th Civil Relations Group, Civil Relations Service, Armed Forces of the
Philippines and Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) benefited from
the recently concluded 5-day training on Emergency Scene Management: First
Responder Course conducted by the Office of the Civil Defense-BASULTA from June
1-7, 2012.
In a press release, Lieutenant Colonel Erwin A.
Alea (GSC) Philippine Army, Group Commander of the 4th Civil Relations Group,
Civil Relations Service, AFP said the objective of the training is to equip
personnel with skills on pre-hospital care concept and disaster awareness which
will be useful especially in times of disasters and calamities.
The course was held at the headquarters of
4th CRG where the training staff from OCD-Basulta demonstrated the proper way
to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), bandaging techniques, mouth to mouth
resuscitation, spinal and bone fracture immobilization to the participants.
“Being a first responder means that one is
more skilled than someone who is trained in basic first aid, however, this does
not mean that they can act as substitutes for advanced medical care rendered by
emergency medical technicians (EMTs), emergency physicians, nurses or
paramedics.” Alea clarified.
This kind of training is in line with the
paradigm shift of the AFPs current thrust, the Internal Peace and Security Plan
“Bayanihan” which aims to equip soldiers not only expertise in combat trainings
but as well as in performing other deeds that are useful at times of disasters,
be it man-made or natural calamities.
Alea further encouraged citizens to attend
training such as this as disasters are always uncertain and unpredictable.
“We are encouraging everyone to grab this
kind of opportunity if training such as this is offered because this is useful
especially during emergencies and this is timely since no one knows when
accidents will occur,” he said.
In his message, Philippine Information
Agency-ZAMBASULTA Infocenter Manager Felipo Dave Malcampo pointed out that “in
times of disaster and calamities, the likas na matulungin na pinoy would
readily come forward and volunteer to help.”
“However, while we always welcome volunteers,
trained volunteers are always preferable because they know how to properly
assist the injured… and how to improvise in a given situation…. to mobilize
(transport) the victims with the various techniques they are trained to do,” he
said.
An advocate of the “sari-sari” principle,
Malcampo encouraged the trainees of the First Responder Course to learn more
and gain more skills along their chosen profession. “A multi-skilled personnel
is always an asset not only to the institution you work with, but also to the
community you serve, and your respective families,” he added.
Malcampo recalled that since his college days, he was
a Red Cross Youth volunteer, and a certified Specialized Volunteer Service
(SVS) instructor in first aid, and have had conducted numerous first aid
training course with various sectoral groups, including military personnel
(RVC/PIA9-ZBST)