As part of the Contingency Planning on Human-Induced Hazards, the City Government of Iriga, through the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), conducted a full-scale simulation at the University of Saint Anthony (USANT) Maritime Building, combining a bomb threat, an active shooting incident, and a fire emergency into a single, coordinated scenario. The simulation allowed participating offices to apply what they had learned during the two-day training, putting their newly formulated Standard Operating Procedure to the test in a realistic, hands-on scenario.
The simulation demonstrated the activation and response of the Incident Management Team (IMT), alongside the response of USANT’s own Safety and Emergency Response Committee and Public Safety Office. Responding units also demonstrated their respective roles: the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Iriga and its Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams handled the bomb threat and active shooter scenario, while the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Iriga responded to the simulated fire incident and the Civil Security Unit handled traffic control and lockdown. The City Health Office (CHO) set up a medical post to attend to simulated casualties, the CDRRMO carried out rescue operations, and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) managed camp coordination and student evacuation.
Following the simulation, an evaluation was held at the USANT Audio-Visual Room to assess the responders’ performance and identify areas for improvement. This also served as an opportunity to fine-tune the SOP further, based on how each participating office performed during the actual drill.
Councilor Jor-El O. Caayao expressed his support for the activity and thanked the responders for their participation, emphasizing the importance of safety for both responders and the general public during real emergencies. He also commended the collaborative effort among the participating agencies, noting that this kind of coordinated preparation strengthens the city’s capacity to respond to actual emergencies.
Through this simulation, the city government tested its readiness to respond to complex, multi-hazard emergencies, strengthening coordination among agencies and ensuring a faster, more effective response when it matters most.
The City Government also extends its appreciation to USANT President Atty. Emmanuel “Mickey” SD. Ortega, and Atty. Jezah Frannie S. Sañado-Belleza, Head of the Human Resource Management and Development Office, OIC-Director for Administration Services, and Chairperson of the Safety and Emergency Response Committee (SERC), for their support in making the simulation possible.
Source: Lungsod Ng Iriga