The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) actively assisted in the evacuation of patients and suppression of the fire that broke out at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila early Sunday morning, May 16.
Citing its mantra of "being always first, always ready, and always there, PRC responded to the fire at the PGH's Main Building Operating Room Complex that occurred at around 12:44 a.m.
Two fire trucks and six ambulances were dispatched from the PRC national headquarters (NHQ) and nearby PRC chapters, mobilizing a total of 32 staff and volunteers equipped with self-contained breathing apparatus, it said in a statement.
It also assisted and transported 15 patients to the PGH New Emergency Room Building, and one patient with stem cell cancer to the Manila Doctors Hospital.
PRC Chairman and CEO Senator Richard Gordon ordered the deployment of two units of ram fans from PRC NHQ and requested four units from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Fire Department as augmentation.
PRC pointed out that ram fans are critical in the current situation to clear and eject smoke from confined spaces. "Patients occupying these confined spaces will be able to breathe easier with the operation of these fans," it said.
Bedsheets were also provided for the patients.