BALER, Aurora -- At least 50 officers and enlisted personnel of the Philippine Army reservist responders have underwent mountain search and rescue training (MOSART) in this capital town of Aurora.
Major Husain A. Esmael, director of 307th Community Defense Center of the Philippine Army, on Monday said the 12-day training that ended Sunday consisted of lectures and practical exercises which equipped the participants with the necessary knowledge in mountain search and rescue efforts and readiness in times of emergency.
"They are now trained for searching, locating, stabilizing and extricating victims trapped in landslides using the safest and most appropriate procedures for the rescuers as well as the victims,” he said.
Esmael said that it is their objective to develop local responders in the Philippine Army reservists to be well-equipped in MOSART operations for emergency mobilization.
The training course consists of lessons on fundamentals of MOSART techniques in offensive rescue situation involving landslides; rescue strategies and techniques; developing/enhancing disaster preparedness and response capacity of local responders for flooding/landslide incident.
The training also included the incident command system (ICS) and mobilization period; basic life support; demonstration on life saving techniques and different rescue operations.
Esmael also cited the support of their partners from the 56th Infantry “Tatag” Battalion, Philippine Army, Baler Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, among others.
Meanwhile, Baler Vice Mayor Pedro Ong said the program of the Philippine Army reservists such as this is one of the best ways for the government to effectively win the hearts of the people especially those living in vulnerable disaster areas.
He cited the important role of Army reservists who are regularly being deployed for disaster response operations in calamity-stricken areas.
"The Army reservists are our valuable and valued partners in strengthening the government’s effort in bringing the military closer to the people as well in projecting good image. With our continuing focus and determination to serve and secure the people, we will sustain our goal of strengthening the ready reserve program of the province as force multipliers for peace and development," he added. (PNA)
