Troops complete disaster training

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Oct 31): Troops complete disaster training

A TOTAL of 40 personnel from the Zamboanga del Sur-based Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion have completed a 20-day Disaster Response Operations Training (DROT) training, an official announced.

Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Alvin Luzon said those who completed the training held from October 6 - 27 comprised of four officers and 36 enlisted personnel.

The training were held in separate areas such as in Camp David that houses the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion Headquarters in the town of Guipos; Tukuran beach; and, selected high rise building in Pagadian City.

Luzon, who acted as the course director, said the training covered topics like first aid and basic life support, actual rescue and disaster relief operations.

Luzon said they conducted the training to capacitate the troops with the knowledge on disaster response operations and management aside from combat operations.

He said they have “to prepare our troops to be the first responders because the disasters are now happening everywhere, as the world has changed because of climate change.”

The training was conducted in partnership with the Zamboanga del Sur provincial government through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management council (PDRRMC); Bureau of fire Protection (BFP); Office of Civil Defense (OCD); and, the Philippine National Red Cross (PRC)-Pagadian City-Zamboanga del Sur Council.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2014/10/31/troops-complete-disaster-training-374069