TACLOBAN CITY — Personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Region 8 Special Rescue Force (SRF) advanced their technical rescue capabilities during an intensive Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) training program held on September 21 to 22, 2026.
Operational Techniques and Technical Training Modules
The two-day capacity-building program focused on specialized tactical rescue disciplines under the command of Regional Director FCSUPT Aldwin M. Salazar and Rescue Company Commander FINSP Barry James J. Aurea:
High- and Low-Angle Operations: Participants completed rigorous drills covering vertical rope systems, anchor placement, patient packaging, and controlled lowering and hauling techniques.
Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR): Teams executed horizontal and vertical search patterns designed to locate trapped victims amidst structural debris.
Safety Protocols: Training exercises emphasized hazard identification, coordinated unit movement, and disciplined team communication during high-risk disaster scenarios.
Readiness and Emergency Response Objectives
Operating under the guiding mission "Locate. Assess. Rescue.," the specialized drills aim to improve regional disaster response times and inter-agency operability across Eastern Visayas. The continuing professionalization program ensures that BFP Region 8 rescue units maintain peak readiness for complex urban emergencies, structural collapses, and natural hazard responses.
