MAMBAJAO, Camiguin (PIA) -- To enhance resilience, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in collaboration with the local government of Mambajao, conducted the Basic Incident Command System at the new Operation Center building in Lakas, Mambajao, for the 40 members of the Incident Management Team of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO). 

The technical experts from the Office of the Civil Defense, Provincial Government of Lanao Del Norte and Bukidnon, and Local Government Unit of Tagoloan shared their expertise for the Basic Incident Command System Training. Various representatives from LGU Mambajao, the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Philippine Coast Guard, DOST, and DPWH attended the event.

A series of lectures, brainstorming sessions, and simulations comprised the three-day workshop, explaining to the attendees the fundamentals, organization, and facilities of the ICS.

Raquel Ranara of MDRRMO-Mambajao emphasized the importance of preparedness before a disaster occurs. “It is always better to be prepared in any event or case of any incident,” she said.

The activity focused on training participants in handling unforeseen events, applying the management by objectives principle, and mastering essential resource management within an Incident Command System (ICS). Furthermore, it aimed to improve participants' understanding of incident and event planning considerations, emphasizing the importance of command transfer, demobilization, and close-out processes.

“An incident action plan is very important in the execution of rescue operations,"  said Patrick Callanta, speaker from the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD).

This event highlighted the government's commitment to achieving disaster resilience by incorporating incident command systems into the effective management of potential and actual disaster consequences in the Municipality of Mambajao.

DOST and LGU Mambajao have also recently conducted the Incident Command System (ICS) Executive Course as part of the implementation of the MOCCOV project. 

Upcoming training includes Emergency Operations Center Training, Integrated Planning on Incident Command System Training, Incident Command System Position Course, and All-Hazards Incident Management Team Training. (DOST/PIA-10/Camiguin)