Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management (PDRRM) Council member agencies underwent a 3-day Basic Incident Command System (BICS) Training Course last July 5-7, 2023.
“As Bohol continues to engage in more economic activities, we also need more Incident Command System (ICS) practitioners in the province”, PDRRM Officer Anthony Damalerio said.
Damalerio highlighted the strong support of PDRRMC chair Governor Aris Aumentado who pushed for the strengthening of the Unified Command Setup, consistent with disaster preparedness under the Strategic Change Agenda on environmental sustainability for the province’s growth and development.
Participants walked through the seven-module course that entailed ICS introduction; organization and staffing, facilities; planned events, and incident management; incident/event assessment and management; resource management and organization; incident and event planning; as well as the transfer of command, demobilization, and closeout.
Forty (40) participants from local and national government agencies completed the training course facilitated by the Office of Civil Defense Region 7 Training Division Head Dennis Atto, with inputs from PDRRMO Emergency Communication Section Head Darwin Bernasor, PDRRMO Emergency Management Section Head Arjay Migriño, and BFP Tagbilaran City Chief Community Relations Unit SF01 Ronel Lofranco.
The ICS is a standard, on-scene, all-hazard incident management concept that can be used by all response groups. It allows users to adopt an integrated organizational structure for response. Its main purposes are the safety of responders and others, the achievement of tactical objectives, and the efficient use of resources.
According to Damalerio, the PDRRMO has been using the ICS in major events organized in the province, citing as an example the ongoing Sandugo activities, including the finalization of the tactical operations protocol on emergency response, public safety, and security in relation to the 5150 Triathlon, in which 600 athletes are confirmed to participate.
The training is part of a series of activities organized in celebration of the Disaster Resilience Month this July, themed “BIDAng Pilipino: Building a Stronger Filipino Well-Being towards Disaster Resilience.” (PIMO/LMS)
