PH Red Cross holds mass casualty exercise to prepare for large-scale disaster
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Malabon, conducted a mass casualty exercise to prepare for possible large-scale disasters.
In a statement issued on Saturday, July 15, PRC said the simulation exercise was based on a 6.8 magnitude earthquake to improve its and other LGUs' emergency response, capability, coordination, and resilience in Mass Casualty Occurrences (MCIs). "Our country is ranked number one in disaster risk. While we cannot wish away hazards, we can focus on preparing for them. One way to prepare for a large-scale disaster, especially an earthquake, is through MCI simulation exercise," PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard Gordon said. "Our main objective is to evaluate our emergency response system within a controlled setting. After this, we will modify our response plans as necessary," Gordon added. Meanwhile, PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang highlighted the significance of involving the PRC 143 volunteers in every barangay in an MCI simulation exercise. Along with the volunteers, PRC led the exercise in which medical doctors, nurses, police officers, and firefighters from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Malabon Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO), Malabon Public Information Office (MPIO), and Malabon City Health Office participated in the event. The PRC will conduct another MCI simulation exercise in Quezon City on July 20 and is expected to be followed by other PRC chapters nationwide. *(Rhowen Del Rosario)*
(Philippine Red Cross / Manila Bulletin)
In a statement issued on Saturday, July 15, PRC said the simulation exercise was based on a 6.8 magnitude earthquake to improve its and other LGUs' emergency response, capability, coordination, and resilience in Mass Casualty Occurrences (MCIs). "Our country is ranked number one in disaster risk. While we cannot wish away hazards, we can focus on preparing for them. One way to prepare for a large-scale disaster, especially an earthquake, is through MCI simulation exercise," PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard Gordon said. "Our main objective is to evaluate our emergency response system within a controlled setting. After this, we will modify our response plans as necessary," Gordon added. Meanwhile, PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang highlighted the significance of involving the PRC 143 volunteers in every barangay in an MCI simulation exercise. Along with the volunteers, PRC led the exercise in which medical doctors, nurses, police officers, and firefighters from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Malabon Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO), Malabon Public Information Office (MPIO), and Malabon City Health Office participated in the event. The PRC will conduct another MCI simulation exercise in Quezon City on July 20 and is expected to be followed by other PRC chapters nationwide. *(Rhowen Del Rosario)*