The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) through the Baguio City district have recently taught the Fire Brigade Accreditation Training to 18 employees of SM City Baguio last September 9-12.
This training is to abide by the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Republic Act (RA) 10121 and the revised Fire Code of the Philippines or RA 9514. This is also a requirement of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to have an emergency team for preventive measures when companies have more than 50 people inside their buildings.
The four-day seminar is to oversee and train SM City Baguio employees to be able to help handle emergency situations while waiting for the proper responders. The training includes the history of BFP in the Philippines, applying first-aid, rope rescue (for transportation of victims or load), search and rescue, and firefighting.
“The importance of the BFP training is that SM Baguio can be part of the additional manpower for us. And the training will be used for the company in case of emergencies while waiting for the responding teams.” BFP Fire Officer II of the Baguio Fire Station Rafael Antonio Gardose said. He also added that in order to refresh their knowledge from trainings, it is important that companies also participate in quarterly disaster drills like for earthquake or fire.
SM City Baguio Customer Relations Services Manager Peter Julian Jr. said, “This training is necessary for us because any time accidents may occur. And while we wait for the responding teams such as the BFP, we can use what we leaarned from this training to help others. The training is not only for our work place, but anywhere we go as well.”
As a participant in nationwide and city-wide disaster drills, SM City Baguio believes in using their venue as a way to spread awareness and knowledge on what to do during disasters and to be alert in case of emergencies to employees and visitors of the mall.**
