Disaster preparedness through emergency operations training

Far Eastern University (FEU) continues to reinforce its commitment to disaster preparedness and public safety through its active participation in the City of Manila’s disaster response initiatives. 

University Civil Engineering and Architectural Design Department manager Nida B. Bulanhagui and Community Relations Director Atty. Rosalie J. de la Cruz-Cada were among the recent graduates of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Training Course conducted by the Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, with technical assistance from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)–National Capital Region. The program aims to strengthen interoperability, preparedness, and leadership across sectors involved in disaster risk reduction and management in Manila. 

The intensive training exposed participants to real-world disaster scenarios, particularly floods and earthquakes, and emphasized the critical role of coordinated response during emergencies. 

“As a private sector representative at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council [NDRRMC]/OCD, the training introduced various scenarios that typically occur during calamities,” said Bulanhagui. “It reinforced the importance of ensuring the safety of responders and the general public at all times.” 

The EOC serves as a central hub for information, coordination, and decision-making during incidents or planned events. It links Incident Management Teams and Response Clusters—two complementary systems under the NDRRMC—to enable efficient humanitarian assistance and disaster response. 

During the course, participants learned essential response protocols, including clearing operations, identifying safe open spaces, conducting damage assessments, and carrying out systematic search and rescue operations. Proper communication also emerged as a key focus. 

“Using the correct communication channels, dissemination procedures, and templates for public service announcements and warnings is crucial,” said Bulanhagui. “In establishing an EOC, resilience, redundancy, interoperability, and communication security must always be considered.” 

Beyond individual capacity-building, the training is expected to bring tangible benefits to the FEU community. Bulanhagui said completing the course provided participants with a clear understanding of the proper sequence of actions during disasters and the need for firm, dependable decision-making aligned with incident objectives. 

“With FEU’s 13 campus buildings already equipped with seismic devices, we can provide initial data on ground-shaking intensity,” she said. “This can help responders enhance readiness across the three elements of response—strategic, operational, and tactical.” 

Bulanhagui plans to translate these learnings into campus-wide preparedness efforts. “I can contribute by sharing and disseminating the EOC’s objectives through briefings, meetings, orientations, and proper documentation,” she said. “This helps strengthen preparedness, coordination, and resilience within the FEU community.” 

Through initiatives like this, FEU plays its proactive role as an academic institution as well as a responsible partner in building safer, more resilient communities.