CLARK FREEPORT— Smart Communications Inc. has beefed up its capability to respond during disasters and rescue operations in this free port, as the leading wireless network tapped a local group to train its North Luzon Emergency Response Team (ERT) on driving four-by-four vehicles.
Rowel Selom, Smart area manager for operations and maintenance in Central Luzon and head of the ERT, said the Angeles City-based Club Overland off-road sports team gave “actual” trainings and lectures to their 22 engineers-ERT members along the Sacobia river over the weekend.
Selom said the ERT-North Luzon, which handles the maintenance and operations of Smart cell sites in North and Central Luzon, were trained on descending and ascending, river crossing, recovery and other techniques. Selom thanked the 40-member Club Overland, headed by businessmen Dale Nepomuceno Antonio, president; and JC Soliman, vice president.
“The ERT members were happy after the one-day training because they learned a lot.
We want to train better to help us respond well during operations as part of Smart’s corporate social responsibility,” Selom said. He added that the Smart’s ERT was established in 2011.
“We realize that any time we can be used during emergency cases to rescue or bring help to affected communities during calamities and disasters. That’s why the ERT was born. We have the people, equipment, four by four vehicles and commitment,” Selom said. He added that they have satellite phones “in case cell phone signals are down or not available in the area.”
Selom said the North Luzon-ERT had responded during the recent deadly typhoons in Pangasinan (Pepe), South Luzon (Yolanda) and Laguna (Glenda).
Selom said the ERT based in Metro Manila and South Luzon will undergo the same training in Pampanga. He said the ERT in the Visayas and Mindanao will have its training in their respective area.
Soliman said their club was aided during the training for Smart engineers by Larry Mendiola, a champion driver, expert mechanic and respected trainer of four-by-four drivers. “Our group is lean because we want to maintain passion and commitment,” he said.
Antonio said “the training was necessary because there is a lot to learn and up to now we continue learning how to effectively drive four by four vehicles.”
Image credits: Joey Pavia