SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Fire Department conducted a six-day Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) training course for selected personnel of the Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The training began with three days of tabletop lectures and discussions on Aug. 1, followed by hands-on exercises at the Boton Fire Station focusing on basic rope tying, shoring and tunneling techniques.

The final phase of the training covered hazardous materials incidents, vertical extrication and confined-space rescue, as well as firefighting in enclosed areas. The exercises were designed to test the readiness, coordination and leadership of emergency response teams in situations that could arise following a major earthquake.

SBMA Fire Department Chief Ranny D. Magno said the training was based on a worst-case scenario in which a strong earthquake along the Marikina Fault strikes Metro Manila, causing structural collapses and other emergencies.

The scenario was intended to test the Manila DRRMO Incident Management Team’s leadership and assess the capabilities of its responders in handling various emergency situations, Magno said.

He said the training also aimed to strengthen coordination and leadership among response groups operating under a unified incident command system to ensure a faster and more organized response during an actual disaster.

At the conclusion of the training on Aug. 6, Manila City DRRMO Director Arnel Angeles thanked the SBMA Fire and Rescue Team for sharing its expertise with the city’s emergency responders.

Angeles also thanked Plan International Philippines for sponsoring the participation of the trainees.

Roberto Nicolas Jr. of the Tanza 2 Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee in Navotas, one of the participants, said USAR training was important for their community because it could provide responders with essential skills during disasters.

Nicolas, however, expressed hope that they would not have to use the skills in an actual disaster.

“Hopefully, we will not have to use this, because if we do, it means there is a problem,” Nicolas said. (Text and photos by Jun Dumaguing for Ang Pahayagan)