The head of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Sunday said that a 2,000-strong rescue unit had been mobilized for the rainy season in anticipation of emergencies or calamities that may arise due to typhoons.
According to NCRPO Director Alan Purisima, his command’s search and rescue unit started training in the summer through regular and refresher courses to equip them with the knowledge to carry out rescue missions.
“The trainees learned boat handling techniques, became proficient swimmers for water safety and survival, [as well as] paramedics and first aid [givers] commonly needed during natural and man-made disasters,” he said in a statement.
A total of 2,146 police officers underwent training during summer while another 612 completed the program recently.
At the same time, Purisima ordered an inventory of the NCRPO’s rescue equipment to make sure that these were functional and accounted for. These were earlier distributed and installed in strategic areas where flooding was a perennial problem, he added.
Among the equipment dispatched to critical areas were the NCRPO’s 19 rubber boars and six trucks.
Purisima, meanwhile, encouraged the public to report to the police any emergencies requiring their assistance through the following emergency hotlines: 0999-9018181, 0915-8888181 or 838-3203. These numbers could be reached day and night, he added.