BFP-Polomolok, SK collaborate to train youth on basic first aid

Youth participants actively cooperate by posing as victim and first aid responders during their workshops on the application of their learned skills in relation to first aid administration. Photo: BFP Polomolok Fire Station

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, -- Over 30 high school students from the different schools in Polomolok, South Cotabato completed the three-day Basic First Aid Training, a knowledge of simple techniques and procedures that can be very useful during emergencies.

The training, which was in collaboration with the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of Barangay Poblacion, was conducted by the Bureau of Fire Protection-Polomolok Fire Station (BFP-PFS) from November 21 to 23.

SK Kagawad Annabell Baco, chairperson of the Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction said the training aimed to equip the youth with appropriate skills for disaster resiliency.

“We will eventually create a school-based and community-based Volunteer Emergency Responders out of these youths who completed the training,” Baco said.

Specifically, the participants were from Poblacion Polomolok National High School, Schola de San Jose, San Lorenzo Ruiz Parochial School, Christian School of Polomolok, General Santos Academy, and B.E.S.T. College of Polomolok, Inc.

Baco added that the participants were also bound to contend for the scheduled inter-school emergency response competition, describing their new-acquired knowledge on basic first aid as timely and relevant.

Fire Officer 3 Dennis Pepito Cornelio, PFS chief of Emergency Medical Services, said the training taught the students various skills on mass casualty incident, basic first aid, bandaging and splinting, and advance vehicular extrication.

Participant Zyrah Hechanova, 14, of Poblacion Polomolok National High School said that she took the training as an opportunity to gain more knowledge on rescue methods.

“I will offer myself to volunteer to undergo training such as this the next time around.” Hechanova said. “I learned a lot from the BFP personnel who handled the training.” 

Meanwhile, PFS Fire Marshal SInsp. Julio Gabut was very optimistic of the training and vowed to push for more collaboration with local government units and other partner agencies for training like this in the future. (FO3 Philip C Chan/PFS)

Source: pia.gov.ph