SIGMA RESPONSE TEAM: Heroism in the midst of the Pandemic

(by MARY ANN L. GUILLERMO, Local DRRM Assistant, of MDRRMO Sigma)

Emergency responders are real-life superheroes. They are those whose job is to respond immediately when there is an accident, an emergency or a calamity. Equally essential to the first responders are the ambulance drivers who are skilled to drive emergency vehicles to a scene, as fast and as safely as possible.

 

The Sigma Response Team (SRT) was established in November 25, 2020 to cater to the need of Sigmahanons for response during emergencies and calamities. The SRT is composed of 19 responders, 3 of those are ambulance drivers. They are trained in Emergency Medical Response (EMR) and Basic Life Support (BLS). SRT provides assistance in many medical and vehicular accidents and also calamities such as Typhoon Ursula, the first typhoon to which they responded.

 

But at the onslaught this pandemic, MDRRMO Responders became among the vital frontliners who do not only respond to emergencies but more importantly, they ensure the safety and well-being of the people they transport and aid. They assist other agencies in conducting border controls since community lockdowns were declared in March 2020. They are also the ones assigned to lead the disinfection of public places and the quarantine facilities. The MDRRMO responders and ambulance drivers also became the drivers who transported Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) and Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs) from the airport to their respected quarantine facilities.  They also assist during the conduct of rapid and swab testing.

 

On September 7, 2020, at around 10:00 o’clock in the evening, while en route to Roxas City to pick up an ROF, the team figured in a vehicular accident at Ondoy Ivisan, Capiz. Mr. Darius G. Yap, the ambulance driver on duty, tried his best to avoid the oncoming vehicle --  but failed. He was pronounced dead-on-arrival in the hospital. That was his last act of heroism. Mr. Yap was a diligent and efficient driver. He was with Mr. Ernie F. Fulgencio and Mr. John Rey S. Castillon. Both responders were rushed to the hospital. Mr. Fulgencio was also declared dead at 3:40 AM, September 8. 2020 while Mr. Castillon was in a critical condition.

 

The team lost two dedicated and compassionate responders who did not renege on their duties or cower at the challenge of transporting passengers during the pandemic.  They were always ready and willing to help other people and they knew the risks entailed by their jobs.  Although their deaths may have been grim and sudden, theirs became piercing reminders of the ultimate sacrifice that some brave and selfless men and women endure in the name of public service. Sir Darius and Sir Ernie are our modern-day unsung heroes.  They died in their quest to ensure that others may live.

MR. DARIUS G. YAP-AMBULANCE DRIVER ON DUTY

MR. DARIUS YAP WHILE WAITING FOR LSIs IN ROXAS CITY AIRPORT

MR. ERNIE FULGENCIO AND THE TEAM WHILE RESPONDING IN S MEDICAL CASE

R. ERNIE F. FULGENCIO AS THE TEAM’S LEADER WHILE TRANSPORTING A PATIENT TO THE HOSPITAL

MR. JOHN REY S. CASTILLON WHILE GIVING FIRST AID TO A TRAUMA CASE

MR. JOHN REY S. CASTILLON AND MR. ERNIE FULENCIO WHILE PREPARING FOR DISINFECTION FOR COVID 19

THE TEAM CONDUCTED INVENTORY OF SUPPLIES IN PREPARATION FOR TYPHOON URSULA

MR. DARIUS G. YAP AND THE TEAM WHILE CONDUCTING OCULAR INSPECTION OF THE FLOODED AREAS DURING TYPHOON URSULA

THESE 3 PICTURES WERE TAKEN DURING RELIEF OPERATIONS FOR TYPHOON URSULA

(The lone survivor of the incident, JOHN REY SAMSON CASTILLON is Casual Volunteer Responder. ERNIE FULGENCIO FULGENCIO was a Casual Volunteer Responder, while DARIUS GARBE YAP was a Casual Volunteer Driver (Ambulance).)