Monday, September 04, 2006

Olongapo ousted in First Aid Olympics

By Albert B. Lacanlale - Sun Star

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Only on its first year in the contest, the City Government's team emerged champion in the Third Regional First-Aid and Basic Life Support Olympics in Region III held last August 18 at the Angeles City High School.

Formed 15 days before the contest, the City Disaster Coordinating Council Rescue Group dethroned teams that include the Olongapo City delegation, which has for so many years lorded over other teams in the same competition.

This year, Olongapo settled for the 1st runner-up trophy while Tarlac City landed third.

The San Fernando team was composed of F03 John Dominic F. Fontanillas, F01 Jefren D. Lazaro, F01 Wilfredo M. Trinidad, F01 Omar L. David and two from the City Health Department -- Ryan Jay Maglaqui and Numeriano Adriano.

The team, headed by Mayor Oscar S. Rodriguez, as team manager, and Major Jonas R. Silvano, assistant manager, wowed the judges in their performance of basic first aid methods and life-support techniques. It was coached by Philippine National Red Cross personnel Roel Gonzales and Patrick Kim Sarmiento.

The competition, which is part of the celebration of the National Disaster Consciousness Month was themed "Itaguyod ang kaunlaran ng Bayan, Kalamidad ay Paghandaan."

Rodriguez said the victory in the competition highlighted the city government team's readiness when emergency strikes.

This is the reason, he said, why the city government is pursuing the modernization of the equipment for the fire department and the entire city disaster coordinating council.

Recently, the city fire department received a boost in its operations when Rodriguez purchased several heavy equipment such as a rescue tender, a 10-storey high-rise ladder, fire truck and other rescue equipment.

Among the awards that the team received in the competition are: special awards for Best in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation and Best in Bandaging and Transfer Relay; and Best Muse on Shane Aquino of Barangay Sindalan.

The team went home with a trophy and rescue equipment such as wheelchair and spineboard.

No comments: