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Cebu’s 911 Command Crisis Center

5:51 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

The ultimate test of the efficacy of emergency management arrangements should always be the extent to which these arrangements deliver an acceptable measure of safety and security to the community. The most meaningful way to evaluate the efficacy of these arrangements is to examine their application in the management of various emergencies. The City of Cebu has been presented with such an opportunity as a consequence of the recent earthquake that caused panic among locals, severely testing Cebu City’s emergency management arrangements. The learnings from such must not be lost.

In undertaking this, the City of Cebu establishes FIRSTAID as its official emergency call center. FirstAid, whose operations is based in a KPO facility and setting the Office of the Mayor as the command center sets proper emergency procedures as the foundation crisis management plan, FirstAide’s objective is to receive calls within reach of Cebu City for emergencies such as fire, explosive devices, civil disturbance, as well as calamities.

Public Warning Communications

Providing the citywide capability to receive and transmit priority communications traffic during an imminent or actual emergency event that necessitates expanded coordination of communication systems. FirstAid will provide management, oversight, and coordination of communications functions among City and first responders, City Departments, and the general public.

Serves as the official Communications Coordinating Unit to the Central Command Center as directed by the Mayor of Cebu City
Provides appropriate information on the emergency situation to the Central Command Center in addition to emergency mass communication resources
Provides updates to the Central Command Center and with authorization from the Mayor of Cebu City, feeds updates to media as new information is available
Maintains the Cebu City Central Command Communications Center in a state of constant readiness (24/7/265)
Notifies the Director of Emergency Management of Level 2 or 3 emergencies and ensures a chronological log of the emergency is documented from start to completion.

Applying a public warning system that is designed to allow authorities to warn the public of impending or current emergencies affecting their area. During a major disaster or event where the need to relay public information is immediate, FirstAid will coordinate the development of public warning messages and their release via the most appropriate/effective public warning system.

The public warning systems is activated by local government officials, and will typically contain alert, notification, and educational information. Such public warning systems is valuable due to its ability to communicate critical information to the public when other communications systems are undependable. Public warnings may be issued during severe weather, flooding, fire, hazardous materials release, terrorist threat, water contamination, and any other threats to life, property and safety.

Cebu’s Emergency Call Center

The call center which sets as its emergency communication hub has the competent and its trained staff that handle the high-pressure work 24/7. The emergency communication center assesses the call situation, send the appropriate information to the correct emergency department, responding to the stressed caller. Coordinating various emergency agencies on a daily basis, its emergency communications has the advanced technology.

The command center would not only serve in times of disasters, crime, and public disturbance but would serve as well as the center of information in matters of: