Davao 911 sees bike-riding Quick Response Team

DAVAO CITY April 23- The Davao Central 911 Communication and Emergency Response Center is building up an elite unit of bike-borne emergency responders.“Its main purpose is conduct initial assessment on the field.” Says Nelson Vallejo of the Central 911.

The Quick Response Team will be riding on motorcycles and are equipped with jump-kits which can be used for emergency medical situations. If the situation is severe the responders can call in on the ambulance.Vallejo said that the team will enable 911 to cut down its response time from an average of 15 minutes.

The team is patterned after those used by European countries such as the United Kingdom.The motorcycles can just beat around the traffic, hence they can reach the victim in a much shorter time. The responders are also trained in first aid. They are equipped with first aid jump kits like wound dressings and small oxygen tanks.

About six brand-new motorcycles are readied for the new group; the team are currently undergoing training on motorcycle-riding. These motorcycle units are deployed in the satellite stations of 911 in Panacan and Toril.These developments are among some of the initiatives being undertaken by the Central 911 which is currently handled by new head Emmanuel Jaldon.

One such initiative is the P3-million Mobile Tracking System which helps monitor the deployment of 911 vehicles. It was donated by the Davalo Light and Power Company last January of this year.  The ETS is the brainchild of the power firm’s president Jim Aboitiz.About 28 of these trackers are installed in the vehicles of the 911.

It is also installed in the police mobile patrol cars attached to the city’s Public Safety Command Center. (PIA 11/RG Alama)