BFP, SPMC partner for burn victims
THE Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP 11) and the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) signed a memorandum of agreement to efficiently respond to the victims with burn injuries.
In a statement, BFP 11 created a link with SPMC during the two-day Burn Injury and Trauma Seminar last September 5 and 6, 2017. The seminar was spearheaded by the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) attended by mostly medical practitioners turned firefighters from different fire stations and units of BFP 11 and burn injury specialists.
Under the MOA, aside from Davao City Fire District, fire stations of five provinces in Davao region can have direct access to the burn center in Davao City.
Fire Inspector Rosanne Deduyo, the BFP 11-EMS Chief, sees that the collaboration would help in facilitating the medication and immediate response to the fire victims who sustained burned injuries.
“While carrying out the perilous task of combating fire and smoke, a firefighter is always confronted with threats of injury. And though successful in mastering the craft of putting out a fire through various techniques in the fire scene, burn injury is so common that is always expected to hound both the first responders and the fire victims," BFP said in a statement.
The seminar was also graced by Senior Superintendent Aladdin M. Guiomala (DSC), Assistant Regional Director for Administration; Senior Inspector Michael Dexter G. Navarro, Chief of Administrative Division, BFP 11 and supported by BFP 11 Regional Director Senior Superintendent Wilberto Rico Neil A. Kwan Tiu (DSC).
During the activity, fire fighters underwent several activities to further improve their knowledge and capacitate their skills in responding to fire incidents as well as treating injuries since they are the first responder to go to the incident area.
They trained on new innovations in giving first aid to burn and suffocation victims which was introduced by medical experts composed of burn injury specialists of SPMC Burn Institute in Davao City led by its head Dr. Rizal D. Aportadera.
"The seminar also paved the way for a strong linkage between SPMC and BFP 11 as to establishing direct referral of burn patients being rescued by BFP personnel in the line of duty," it added.