Lapu-Lapu forms group to beef up ERUF, PNRC

CEBU, Philippines - The Lapu-Lapu city government will create a support disaster/rescue team in the city to help assist the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF) and the Philippine National Red Cross.

Task Force Kalikasan chief Andy Berame said the city has now seen the need to create  its own Disaster Action Response Team (DART).

Berame said Lapu-Lapu City is growing in terms of population, including the number of tourists that arrive from other places.

He said the city needs 24 volunteers. A volunteer must be between 21 and 40 years old, college level, holds a regular job or works for the Lapu-Lapu City hall as a job order employee.

He said interested applicants should be willing to serve beyond the call of duty and willing to undergo a series of training.

Volunteers will be trained in first aid, basic life support, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), basic ambulance and vehicle operation, mass casualty course, basic disaster course, basic water safety and rescue course and water search and rescue course.

The idea came after the plane carrying DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo crashed into the sea off Masbate.

At the time, the city had difficulty launching a search and rescue operation. (FREEMAN)