Valenzuela City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (VCDRRMO) conducted a "Basic First Aid and Life Support Training" at Club House, Barangay Canumay West in Valenzuela City on Friday, March 3.
About 170 drivers from the 33 city barangays were registered for the training. They were divided into three batches: Batch 1 on March 3 and 4, Batch 2 on March 6 and 7; and Batch 3 on March 8 and 9.
“Alam niyo, mayroon kaming program ni Konsehal Sel Sabino-Sy. Maganda ito, dahi sa March po ay may gagawin kaming professional training para sa ating ambulance drivers. Hindi lang basta-basta training ‘yan, magkaroon tayo ng fundamentals sa pagbibigay ng paunang lunas (I and Councilor Sel Sabino-Sy will have a program. This March we will conduct a professional training for our ambulance drivers. It's not just training, but also a training on the fundamentals in giving first aid)," Mayor WES said during the turnover ceremony of a new medical vehicle in Barangay Veinte Reales last Feb. 27.
Basic First Aid and Life Support Training is a two-day seminar-workshop facilitated by VCDRRMO to equip ambulance drivers with basic first aid knowledge as Mayor Weslie "WES" Gatchalian has started deploying new ambulances to the city barangays.
The two-day workshop and training were divided into two parts – the first aid lecture and the on-field application or practicum of the acquired knowledge from the seminar.
“Nahuhubog natin ‘yung konsepto ng 3D – Driving, Discipline, and Dedication. Kasi ang mga ambulance drivers, alam naman nating kritikal ‘yung ating function sa barangay (We are shaping the concept of 3D - Driving, Discipline, and Dedication. As ambulance drivers, we know that our function in the barangay is critical)," VCDRRMO head Dr. Arnaldo Antonio said.
Aside from the training, the drivers also underwent a visual screening with the assistance of city optometrists.
Drivers' eye grades were checked to determine if they would be needing graded eyeglasses for driving.
The city government said participants will attend another two-day driving training after the first aid training. It will be facilitated by Ford Motor Company on March 10 and 11.
The driving lesson program is an initiative of 2nd District Councilor Sel Sabino-Sy, which aims to hone barangay drivers to drive during emergencies.
There are at least 136 units of ambulances deployed in the city.