CDRRMO intensifies ICS training course
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) has increased the intensity of the Incident Command System (ICS) training course, with 31 combined first responders and council members recently completing their Integrated Planning Course on Incident Command System IPICS Level 2.
CDRRM Officer Cyrus Jose J. Urbano explained in “Tingog sang Pagsanyog” city’s FB live program that it is required for the members to be capacitated and should undergo a similar education procedure in compliance with Republic Act (RA) 10121, also known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) law. “Mandatu ini sang DRRMOs nationwide nga dapat subject for training ang tanan nga responders kag council members,” Urbano said.
He also explained that such preparation is required because the ICS is an on-scene hazard management system that enables concerned individuals to respond quickly during incidents and dangers. It also offers an organizational structure capable of dealing with all levels of emergencies, from simple to complex.
Also, ICS specifies a hierarchy of authority in which the flexibility to manage an incident as it escalates in severity is specified. Further, it provides precise processes for dealing with tragedies; guides on how to organize assets to deal with an incident; and processes to achieve the response through its various stages.
Furthermore, Urbano, elaborates that ICS is a non-permanent organization or structure and is activated not only in response to disasters or emergencies but even during activities with high population density. He cited some of the scenarios such as routine or planned events like celebrations, parades, concerts, fires, hazardous materials, and multi-casualty occurrences that include earthquakes, storms, and floods. In the City of Koronadal, Urbano said that there are two (2) major hazards-floods and landslides that if it has a significant impact on the community, ICS needs to be activated.
Urbano, on the other hand, differentiates ICS from the Incident Management Team (IMT). He stated that while the first one refers to an organization, the latter is a team composed of command staff and general staff who will take the lead in ICS implementation.
Meanwhile, as the 2023 Most Outstanding Executive of the Year, Urbano expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Koronadal City Government, the CDRRM office and staff, and his fellow nominees. He believes that in order to be a role model in public service, he must be committed to his work, diligent, have work discipline, trust in colleagues and the community, and have a good working relationship.