LGU Baguio trains more personnel on incident command system

Another batch of trainees composed of more than 30 personnel from the local government unit of Baguio, partner agencies and private sector representatives finished their first of four levels of Basic Incident Command System (ICS) training on October 13, 2023 as the world observed International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. 

The three-day training-workshop was organized by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) in partnership with the Office of Civil Defense – Cordillera Administrative Region (OCD-CAR) in an aim to strengthen disaster response through a unified command in Baguio City. 

The training from October 10-13, 2023 was held to equip participants on incident command and understand interoperability of Emergency Operations Center (EOC) among government agencies and the private sector during disaster response.

The ICS is one of the flagship programs of the OCD in implementing Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine DRRM Act of 2010 to manage disaster consequences and reduce disaster risk by institutionalizing various mechanisms. 

“ICS maintains unity of command during disaster response,” said Kenneth Khayog, one of the trainers from the CDRRMO. 

Unified command is already being practiced in the city during disasters and now uses the 911 emergency hotline at the Smart City Command Center where calls will be received prior to dispatch of responders depending on the nature of incident and the resources needed.

The Philippine ICS was based on the US Forest Service standard, an on-scene and all-hazard incident management tool that coordinates the actions of all response groups and promotes responder’s safety. – JMPS