Drill tests readiness of hospital, rescuers

CEBU, Philippines - Observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month in Cebu City ended yesterday with an earthquake drill participated by personnel of the Department of Health (DOH), students of the University of San Carlos (USC), and Red Cross volunteers.

The drill was conducted at the DOH grounds and “victims” were brought to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) nearby.

Dr. Joseph Alesna, Health Emergency Management Staff (HEMS) coordinator at VSMMC said hospitals play a critical role during disasters such as an earthquake.

“One of the roles of hospitals is to see to it that in times of earthquakes like this, we should be standing. Otherwise if we collapse, we need to stand up and function. Because no where patients could be brought up, except for hospitals,” Alesna said.

Clinton Gairanod, senior nurse at VSMMC and instructor of the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program under DOH, said the drill was successful overall.

“There are some lapses but are only minor ones. Everybody is doing well,” Garainod said.

Thirty-five nursing students from USC and 15 personnel from DOH served as casualties while EMT students also of USC, rescue team members from DOH, and Red Cross volunteers served as rescuers.

Garainod said there were 50 “casualties” during the drill categorized in four colors - green, yellow, red and black. Those under the green category had minor injuries and could walk, those under the yellow category were considered as ‘second priority,’ those under the red category were considered as first priority and were in critical condition, while those under the black category were the casualties.

Four days prior to the drill, DOH personnel held an orientation on basic life support cardio - pulmonary resuscitation, basic first aid, and incident command system with mass casualty.

“These trained responders are the DOH quick response team. Any untoward or big disaster that might happen outside, usa ni sa atong maasahan. Ato ning ipada sa DOH na maoy ipadala sa atong mga katawhan,” Medalla said.

Alvin Santillan of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Management Committee said people should have with them emergency numbers that they can call in times of emergency and/or disasters. In Cebu City, 160 is the hotline number for the fire department, 166 for the Mobile Patrol Group and 161 for the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF).

Supt. Aderson Comar of the Bureau of Fire Protection reminded the citizens to call the hotline number immediately once a disaster strikes. “Naa rana sa tao kung unsa kasayo nanawag,” he said.

Comar said the Bureau of Fire is using the “Maximini System,” a term the bureau coined to refer to the way it is maximizing its limited resources. A brand new fire truck purchased by the city government will be available next week.

Meanwhile, Jaybee Binghay, information officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development -7 said a Family Disaster Community Preparedness Training have been conducted in the neighboring islands of Negros and Siquijor. The same training will be conducted in Cebu this month and in 48 towns of Bohol next month.

DSWD has 3,000 family packs and P500,000 cash on the ready in the event of calamity.

In Negros Occidental, there are 21 evacuation centers that are currently housing 565 families. This month, DSWD released P25 million for shelter funds for the victims of typhoon Sendong in Negros Occidental. At least 2,883 families have been given shelter assistance while 134 more are yet to receive the aid.

Republic Act 10121 is an act strengthening the Philippine disaster risk reduction and management system.  (FREEMAN)