DavNor beefs up incident command system

 TAGUM CITY Davao del Norte - The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) strengthened its incident command system (ICS), while fast tracking the establishment of the mechanism in all the barangays.

The council reinforced the ICS in compliance with Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario’s directive to raise the level of disaster preparedness in the province, especially during normal times.

According to PDRRMC Action Officer Sonio Sanchez, who was also designated as the incident commander of the province, the governor has ordered the council to strengthen its disaster response capability, along with the sectors of preparedness, mitigation, and rehabilitation.

This is to make sure all the mechanisms vital for the safety and well-being of the people are put in place before, during and after the onset of calamities.

To be more pro-active, the Response Committee of the PDRRMC met on July 31, 2012 to strengthen its organizational structure and clearly define the roles and functions of its subsectors based on the ICS.

Team leaders were subsequently identified for the sub-sectors of the search, rescue and retrieval operation; medical emergency; evacuation, relief and evac management; transportation; and, security.

Del Rosario enjoined the reinforcement of the ICS, as a standard on-scene disaster response and management system that ensures a unified and well-coordinated action in times of emergencies.

“The governor wants the Capitol and the LGUs to be truly prepared and be able to respond more effectively and mitigate the impacts of disasters,” Sanchez said in the vernacular.

He bared the system was already established in all the city and municipal governments, including the 64 flood-prone barangays in the province. The PDRRMC aims to set up the mechanism in all the other barangays this year.

He added his office is now completing the disaster operations manual of the province, which will form part of the local public safety code being reviewed at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. (Noel Baguio-PGO Info DavNor)