ERUF drill set for 9/11

CEBU, Philippines - As the world remembers the tragic 9/11 terror attacks in the United States, the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation will conduct a simulation exercise on mass destruction and multiple casualty scenarios caused by a natural disaster at Mandaue City reclamation area on September 11.

ERUF Chairman of the Board Dr. Pek Eng Lim said the ERUF will demonstrate its readiness and capabilities in firefighting, search and rescue, emergency medical services in tandem with newly organized Barangay Disaster Brigades of Mandaue City.

Lim said the field exercise will put to the test the capabilities of ERUF from personnel or volunteers to its equipment including its ability to coordinate with the government agencies like the Philippine Air Force and other organizations.

“We are going to mobilize all our assets from ambulances, fire engines, rescue trucks to enervan and mobile kitchen,” Lim said.

The scenario starts with an assumption that a magnitude 8 earthquake hit Cebu destroying major infrastructures and facilities like the airport that resulted to the crash of an airplane, collapse of buildings, fires, leaks of hazardous chemicals or materials, massive casualty and injuries.

Lim said the Medical Advisory Council of ERUF, composed of medical doctors and specialists of various fields, will work with the paramedics and volunteers.

The exercise is one of the highlights of ERUF’s 25th anniversary.

The exercise is open to the public. Guests from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Council, Regional Fire Marshall and Chief of Ambulance Service of Holland, the Netherlands and representatives from international disaster and emergency response from the United States and Australia are expected to attend the activity.

Also on that day, there will be a Fun Run that will kick off at Parkmall. Exciting raffle prizes of TV sets, cellular phones, fire extinguishers and first aid kits await finishers of the 3k, 6k and 12k categories. A registration fee of P250 entitles the runners to a singlet and race number.

Registration is ongoing at ERUF Banilad Base, ERUF Lapu-Lapu City Hall, Cebu City Sports Center, Chong Hua Medical Arts, Perpetual Succour Hospital and the Cebu Doctors University Hospital. — (FREEMAN)