MANILA, Jan 14 (PNA) — Philippine Red Cross (PRC) volunteers and staff are set to provide assistance to the public with life-saving services including medical, first aid and field hospital, ambulance transport, blood, rescue, water, welfare and tracing/restoring family links during the much anticipated papal visit to the Philippines from January 15 to 19, 2015 in Manila and Leyte.
Chairman Richard Gordon said the PRC as the foremost humanitarian organization will deploy, inside and outside the cordoned areas at the venues, more than 10,000 trained personnel and volunteers from the different red cross chapters to give assistance for any eventuality that may come up during the Holy Father’s visit.
“The personnel and volunteers that we will be deployed are all trained in first aid, rescue procedures, and others. They will be stationed in strategic places in all the activities of the Pope,” Gordon added.
To ensure the health and safety of those who will participate in the Papal events in Manila, PRC will put up 29 first aid stations in identified strategic locations
Ambulance units and welfare desks will be assigned and established in all first aid stations and other selected areas while roving teams/squads composed of volunteers who will monitor the situation are available.
PRC also developed an operation plan that will guide PRC staff and volunteers to handle untoward incidents. This plan will guarantee PRC will have an effective response system in place.
Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang said PRC made sure that all first aid stations, welfare stations and emergency field hospitals are fully equipped, operational and pope-ready.
“PRC personnel will stand by round the clock during the entire papal visit and will ensure that all emergency cases were responded to immediately,” she said.
The plan also prepares to anticipate worst case or complex scenarios which have a high probability to lead to a mass casualty incident such as stampede, acts of terrorism, and natural disasters or multifaceted emergencies that may coincide with the event.
This as PRC will also put up five emergency field hospitals for treatment of major injuries and illness prior transport to hospital for advance medical treatment as may be required by the patients’ condition and will mobilize thousands of volunteers in five papal events in different dates and locations. Blood supply will also be available at the field hospitals located at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Le pavillion in Pasay, Palacio de Manila, Manila Bulletin and clam shell in Intramuros.
Red Cross has also prepared a contingency plan including evacuation and continuity operations in case of imminent threat as it continues to link and network with its partners and stakeholders including government, non-government, and private organizations. (PNA)