US experts up Cordi Region firemen’s skills

TUBA, Benguet – A firefighting team from California, USA trained 108 personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection from the region to upgrade their firefighting and rescue skills.

The training from Jan. 21 to 25, was conducted by the Firefighters for Christ (California).

               This was the fourth fire and rescue training event conducted by foreign firefighting experts under the Training Camp Philippines 2019 of the BFP National Headquarters. The first leg was conducted in Quezon City, followed by Bacolod, Davao and Cordillera.

Three new techniques were taught to the participants- Swift Water Rescue facilitated by Danny Rodriquez, Bob Ameche and Simon Hewiit; Wild land Fire Management by Joe Lindaman, Patrick Stilson and Tom Nichols and Auto Extrication by Luis Carlos and Dave Kromka.

Fire Senior Supt. Maria Sofia Mendoza, BFP Cordillera regional director said the training was a big help to BFP personnel.

“Our personnel were not just focused on firefighting but trained for rescue operations. This is because the BFP is one of the agencies that respond to emergencies,” Mendoza said.

“They were trained on how to dismantle a vehicle to save the people inside. There was also training on controlling wild fire or forest fire,” she said.

She said the swift water rescue training which will be useful during floods.

               “Our personnel have regular trainings but we admit that we still lack the equipment and supplies, but we are glad that the equipment brought by the facilitators will be left to us after the training,” Mendoza added.

According to trainer Joe Lindaman, they included Cordillera because of the susceptibility of the region to road accidents.

“I salute all the participants because they were easily taught and the participants were very active. We want to share our knowledge and the new equipment to the Bureau of fire personnel in the Philippines,” said Lindaman.