PH Red Cross chief pushes for first responders in neighborhoods, classrooms, homes
Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard Gordon reiterated the importance of training at least one first aider in every household for emergencies.

“The reason why we are pushing to have a first aider in every community, school, and home is that they will serve as the first responders during emergencies,” Gordon said in a statement on Wednesday, Aug. 23.
“Other forms of assistance will require time to reach the location of the incident, but if the first aiders reside within the community, we can deliver immediate medical attention and prevent loss of life,” he emphasized.
He issued the reminder after the PRC deployed first aid and hot meals to Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental families affected by the fire.
PRC said that through its Misamis Oriental-Cagayan De Oro Chapter, the PRC deployed a team with two personnel and a service vehicle with three first aiders to assist the families who lost their houses.
“PRC attended 100 or approximately 20 families, whose houses were at Purok 5, Brgy. Tablon, Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental by a third-level fire last Aug. 21” it said.
PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang said it is important to “instill discipline in everyone to avoid accidents” such as the recent fire in Cagayan de Oro.
In addition, she urged the public to observe fire safety precautions to prevent indoor and outdoor fire incidents. (Rhowen Del Rosario)