Interested participants in the upcoming Davao First Responder Rescue Skills and Obstacle Competition set on July 19 to 21, 2023 at the Crocodile Park have until June 16 to sign up.
Registration is free, according to City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) Administration and Training Division Acting Head Lyndon Leovic Ancajas, during the 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR’s) At Your Service program aired on Tuesday, June 13.
Entry forms are available at the CDRRMO and Sports Development Division of the City Mayor’s Office (SDD-CMO).
Ancajas said the event is open to all first responders in the city, whether from the barangays or volunteer groups.
“Dugay na nga existing ang atong mga first responders. We need to have an activity for them, especially post-pandemic na matapok sila. Nahitabo na ni sya in the past pero dili ingon ani kadako nga event (Our first responders have been around for a long time. We need to have an activity for them, especially after the pandemic when they will gather. It has happened in the past but not as big as this event),” he said.
He also said that past competitions were only participated by a few barangays and volunteers.
Ancajas said the three-day rescue skills and obstacle tournament aims to promote the skills proficiency and teamwork of Dabawenyo first responders while also testing their capabilities.
He said that the event features individual and team divisions for barangay and individual categories.
“Ma-practice gyud ilang teamwork. Murag sports pero mura’g muresponde sila og major disaster. Exciting pud sya kay naa’y obstacles. Duna’y basic first aid technique with a twist. Dapat trained gyud sila sa first aid, CPR, ug EMR (They can really practice teamwork. It’s like sports but it’s like they’re responding to a major disaster. It is also exciting because there are obstacles. There is a basic first aid technique with a twist. They should be trained in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and emergency medical response),” Ancajas said, adding that the skills competition will only cover the basic things that first responders usually do to ensure fairness.
SDD-CMO officer-in-charge Mikey Aportadera, meanwhile, said, “This is
open to all first responders recognized by the office of Sir Lyndon. It is technical in nature, a first of its kind.”
He said the CDRRMO and Central 911 will form the panel of judges.
Aportadera cited the first responders’ invaluable contribution to the city’s emergency and disaster response. Thus, equipping them and empowering them through a skills competition will further enhance their disaster response capabilities. CIO
