ZAMBOANGA CITY – Twenty personnel of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) have undergone one-day basic firefighting training at Camp Don Basilio Navarro that houses the Westmincom headquarters here.
The training, held Friday, was facilitated by the Office of the Assistant Chief of Unified Command Staff (ACUCS) for Education and Training of Westmincom in coordination with the Bureau of Fire Protection’s Calarian Fire Sub-Station.
Col. Lambert Jonathan Gesolgon, acting ACUCS for Education and Training, said that lectures and discussions on fire-related topics and the use of firefighting equipment were conducted at the Civil Development Center (CDC) of Westmincom.
Gesolgon said this was followed by practical exercises and demonstrations held at the parade ground of Westmincom.
“As servicemen, we should not only be prepared to combat terrorism but also to conduct rescue operations during difficult situations such as fire incidents,” Gesolgon said.
The basic firefight training is also a prerequisite for the issuance of fire safety certification by the BFP to Westmincom.
Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Westmincom chief, said that the soldiers have acquired new skills, which can be applied in cases of fire inside the camp. – Nikolai Gonzalo