Office of Civil Defense-Cordillera Dir. Albert Mogol, also chair of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, stressed the importance of taking a proactive stance in managing disaster consequences and reduce disaster risks by institutionalizing various mechanisms like the incident command system (ICS).
He gave the remarks during the basic ICS training course, June 6 to 8, conducted by the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office in partnership with the OCD-CAR, and participated by 27 representatives of various local government offices.
Mogol explained that ICS is one of the OCD’s flagship programs that have been institutionalized as an on-scene disaster response tool of the Philippine DRRM System that coordinates the actions of all response groups.
ICS has been proven effective in managing potential and actual disaster consequences and enhanced mechanisms for resource management, reporting and documentation, promotion of responder safety, and optimum achievement of response objectives, he said.
CDRRM Officer Antonette Anaban said the training aims to impart knowledge, skills and attitude that are essential for the application of basic concepts and principles of ICS in any disaster situation. Topics tackled in the three-day course include introduction to ICS; ICS organization and staffing; ICS facilities; managing planned events and incidents; event assessment and management by objectives; organizing and managing resources; incident and event planning; transfer or command, demobilization and closeout.
Resource persons were T/Sgt. Jake Belino of the Philippine Air Force; Community Action for Disaster Response (Cadre) instructor Mike Kenneth Piluden; and Local DRRM Officer 1 Kenneth Khayog.
Here’s ‘First Fig’ by Edna St. Vincent Millay: “My candle burns at both ends;/It will not last the night;/ But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends – / It gives a lovely light!”
Let’s end with a prayer: “Dear Lord, Help me remember what a difference it makes when I make time with You a priority in my morning. Awaken me in body and spirit each day with a desire to meet with You and to hear You speak words of affirmation, assurance, and wisdom over my heart as I prepare to go into my day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
