Saturday, March 5, 2011

LDS Seagulls to the Rescue in Cebu

Heaven forbid if something like an Ondoy or an earthquake like that recent one in New Zealand happens in Cebu, who do we definitely need?

Trained rescuers, of course (with emphasis on trained). Because an attempt of rescue without training can have dire consequences. And we may need plenty of these trained rescue teams.

Good thing we have the LDS Seagull Rescue International Incorporated, Cebu Chapter.


A risky mission means these rescuers are paid with large salaries, right?  ...Wrong.

The LDS Seagull Rescue Teams are composed of volunteers from all walks of life. They do not receive any regular salary. They volunteer simply to serve and help save lives which is enough joy for them.

It was founded by Brad Pitt...wait, it's Brod. Pete or Mr. Peter Negrido, a veteran climber and paramedic with Visayan roots who has successfully trained rescuers in various parts of the country including the Philippine military. He looks like a military man himself.

Mr. Negrido's advocacy is to teach search and rescue skills to ordinary persons and the ordinary military personnel who are not themselves part of any special rescue team so that if the need arises like an Ondoy-like typhoon, they can also be tapped.

Anyway, the LDS rescuers are not just composed of men as you can see in the photo. In fact a lot of the volunteers and trainees are women. Volunteers undergo several levels of training including first aid, basic life support, search and rescue in confined spaces and tall buildings, fire rescue, water and rescue and many more.

The equipment that they have is a product of donations from fellow members or volunteers, past trainees, church members (Latter Day Saints church) and support from the Cebu City government. The city government through the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council may tap them as part of the personnel to respond in situations of disaster.

The members of LDS Seagulls are from the Church of the Latter Day Saints (thus the name LDS which also means Light Disaster Squad) but they also accept trainees practicing other religions for collaborations).

I was fortunate to be invited to witness a critical part of the training of their latest recruits last Thursday, March 3, 2011 at the LJD Dormitory, Nasipit, Talamban wherein they would learn how to maneuver in tall buildings.

Before the spidey thing, of course they had some briefings and last-minute instructions...
...and then, they did this...
and this...
and this.
I salute this people really. Just to undergo training requires courage and determination.

Mr. Negrido dared me and fellow blogger Bjorn Bernales to give these maneuvers a try and we said...hmmm...well....nah! And we proceeded to take pictures. (If blogger-mountaineer Vince was there, I think Brod. Pete would have his volunteer).

In the future, expect the LDS Seagull Rescue International Cebu Chapter to have their own base and hotline like other volunteer emergency teams. For now, they are part of Cebu City's team of responders during emergencies and disasters who are ready to lend a hand risking their lives for the sake of their brethren.

More power to LDS!





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8 comments:

  1. This is a very nice post Doc!

    It was a nice experience, indeed.

    I salute these trainees for their guts and selfless passion to serve despite the high risks.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Bjorn. It was indeed a nice experience. It would have been nicer if we did the high rise maneuvers ourselves. hehe.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Becoming a volunteer is a great way to give back to your community. The opportunity to make a difference in people's lives and leave a positive impact can be a driving force in the decision to volunteer.

    buy and sell philippines

    ReplyDelete
  4. I remembered the days I spent in ERUF. Nothing compares when you are trying to save someone else's life and sometimes forgot the risk in your own.

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  5. I heard that LDS Seagulls conduct trainings on rescue as my tito mention with me at Tayabas City (Quezon Chapter).

    Hi i would like to ask regarding with the contact of LDS Seagulls because im planning to conduct a training of our search and rescue team of our EPRT. Kindly eamil me at javepielago@tpcp.biz or wilsonjave@yahoo.co.uk

    I hope to hear from you..

    Thank you

    Wilson Jave Pielago

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  6. Dear Wilson:

    I only have the Facebook details of LDS Seagulls Cebu chapter as its the Cebu chapter that contacted us since I am not part of LDS Seagulls myself. You can post your question there at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lds-Seagull-Rescue-Intl-Cebu-Chapter/106813559383388 and ask them there if they know who to contact in Quezon. I think you can also Google LDS Seagulls. Hope somehow I was able to help pa rin.

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  7. Bongga si Peter! It's amazing how far he has brought this project. I'm originally from Bacolod and I and my hubby (who's now with Seagulls too) know him. I remember how Peter and the pioneer group of rescuers also held survival workshops in our YW Camp activities back in 1999.

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  8. I salute Peter and the rest of the team for their advocacy.

    ReplyDelete