Agusan Sur’s community volunteers gear up skills on Basic Search and Rescue
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) – The community volunteers from various barangays in the municipalities of Sta. Josefa and Rosario in the province of Agusan del Sur composed of barangay officials, out-of-school youth, and other private individuals have converged their efforts to gain knowledge and skills on search and rescue operations.
Through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Agusan del Sur headed by Armando Gomez, some 70 participants are engaged in the10-day training on Basic Search and Rescue (BSAR) on May 12 - 22.
Cherry Jean Espiton, 32 years old, a volunteer from Barangay Concepcion, Sta. Josefa, appreciated the opportunity to be part of the training, and expressed her commitment to take by heart whatever she learned from the activity.
“I am thankful to our punong barangay for sending me to this training and for trusting us volunteers that we could provide help to the community in times of disaster or accident,” she said.
Rey Onarse, a barangay official from Aurora, Sta. Josefa, Agusan del Sur, stressed that it is important for the barangay officials to lead the community towards ensuring resiliency and safety during disaster or calamity.
“We are very willing to learn more about basic search and rescue operations and we will do our best to apply or practice in our barangay the learnings that we will gain from this training, so we could save lives during disasters,” said Onarse.
Trainees have actively participated in the lectures, demonstrations and simulation exercises on Basic Life Support and First Aid, as well as boat handling [in times of flooding] as part of the training course at the PDRRM Office, government center in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
“This is being conducted to ensure that every barangay in the entire province is equipped with the knowledge and skills needed in search and rescue, as they serve as the immediate rescuers in their respective community in any eventuality or disaster,” said Gomez.
He emphasized that training the communities on BSAR and other disaster-related skills trainings is paramount to fostering preparedness and resilience in the face of emergencies or disasters.
“Equipping individuals with these fundamental abilities empowers them to respond effectively to crises, and gives them the potential to save lives and mitigate harm,” he said.
He added that by imparting fundamental search and rescue techniques, communities can also act swiftly and decisively during critical moments.
To ensure the well-being of the trainees, Gomez has arranged for a volunteer Search And Rescue Agusan del Sur (SARAS) doctor during the course of training.
The voluntary service of Dr. Dianne P. Jagonia as a SARAS doctor during her free time as a physician at the D.O.P Memorial Hospital (DOPMH) added invaluable expertise and medical support to the training sessions.
“Her presence not only enhanced the quality of instruction but also instills confidence in participants, knowing that they have access to medical assistance when needed,” remarked Gomez.
This collaboration exemplifies a holistic approach to community safety, combining medical knowledge with SAR proficiency to ensure comprehensive preparedness.
The PDRRMO highlighted the importance of the role of the rescuers in every barangay in protecting human life, property, and natural resources in situations like fire, accidents and other emergencies.
PDRRMO reminded the participants by saying, “You must be equipped with the best techniques, training, and equipment to meet public expectations.” (JPG, PIA-Agusan del Sur with a report from PDRRMO-Agusan del Sur)
