NDRRMC supports CDR Peter Negrido'sPSDMN-RESCUE RECON Team

 The Private Sector Disaster Management Network -Rescue Recon team together with  Private Sector Disaster Management Network (PSDMN) Chairman Col. Alejandro “Alex” T. Escaño was presented to the media last April 8, at Victoria One Bldg, Quezon Ave, QC. The PSDMNR5 are the group of men and women who responded to the typhoon "Chedeng" that made a landfall in Baler, Aurora Quezon.

The man behind the Rapid Response team is CDR Peter P. Negrido, a professional rescuer, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), who has a PHD in Criminology. He is the one who conceptualized the Rescue Recon Reliable Response (PSDMNR5) Team. He was a part of the search and rescue team for the ill-fated Cebu Pacific Flight 387 that crashed in Mt. Sumagaya in Cagayan de Oro in 1998.

Mr. Negrido told the media that they are still in need of volunteer rescuers for First Aid and Rescue and Administrative (logistics). They should be 18 yrs old and above, physically fit for those who will be giving first aid to the victims. He or she has no limitation.  As of the moment, he already has 130 professional volunteers. The rescue operation is on rotation for 4 hrs, 8 hrs and 12 hours respectively.  The required training is 60 hours or its 5 days equivalent. The volunteer journalist rescuer has a separate sets of requirement for training.

The Rapid Response team succumbs to brotherhood. Thus  collaboration, cooperation, and coordination is reinforced to their team.  It is in working together that they can accomplish goals.

CDR Peter P. Negrido PCGA and PSDMN Chairman Col. Alejandro “Alex” T. Escaño

Private Sector Disaster Management Network (PSDMN) Chairman Col. Alejandro “Alex” T. Escaño declared during the debriefing that he will be looking for more resources to enhance the team’s disaster logistics by adding more ambulances as he envisions more Rapid Response Teams in the immediate future so that more areas can be assisted in case of more disasters take place.

When Typhoon Chedeng (International Name Maysak) hit Baler, Aurora,  it was not as destructive as it was anticipated; hence, no loss of lives has been reported with minimal economic impact and disruption to business and livelihoods.

When the Typhoon was also detected to hit other towns, namely, Dilasag and Casiguran, the Rapid Response Team split into two where the other half proceeded to these towns known for landslides during heavy rain.

The idea of sending a private rapid response team is part of NRDMC’s whole-of-society approach to disaster response and management. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council emphasized this during the debriefing meeting at the NDRRMC Conference Room last April 7, when the PSDMNR5 Team returned home to Manila from their provincial deployment.

The creation of a Rapid Response Team was the idea of CDR Peter P. Negrido PCGA. His first  Rapid Response Team under the Rescue Recon banner was in response to Typhoon Yolanda where his team was deployed in Guiuan, Eastern Samar. After this, they also responded to Typhoon Ruby last December 2014 and went to Borongan City, Eastern Samar, this time under the banner of the combined PSDMN-Rescue Recon.

  Aurora Province Governor, Atty. Gerardo A. Noveras, Baler Mayor Nelianto Bihasa, San Luis Mayor Annabelle C. Tangson, Dilasag Mayor Victorio Briones and Casiguran Mayor Dr. Ricardo Bitong expressed their thanks to the group as well as to the NDRRMC for demonstrating the commitment of the national government to provide support to local government units (LGUs) affected by typhoons and other disasters.

The PSDMNR5 Team also worked closely with the local counterparts from the provincial and municipal DRRMOs, Bureau of Fire, Coast Guard, PNP, 7ID, DOH, DSWD, DPWH and DOST-PAGASA. The PSDMNR5 Team comprised of volunteers remains committed to be in places where they are needed. Their motto captures the team spirit and passion -  ready to serve, ready to save so that others may live.