The Davao City Central Communications and Emergency Response Center or the Central 911 is the frontline office to provide primary emergency and disaster response services in Davao City. These services include medical assistance, search and rescue, fire auxiliary and K-9 services.

For many years, it has been a reliable ally to many Dabawenyos who have benefited from their services and assistance.

Anita Bonjoc, barangay chair of Brgy 36-D in Davao City, said the Emergency Central 911 has been very helpful to them, especially during the pandemic. She said the medical workers of the Central 911 had been responsive to them during emergencies especially when constituents need hospitalization.

Bonjoc noted a three-minute response time once they were called by people for medical assistance.

In cases of need for law enforcer’s or police response, one can dial 911 and law police response will come within five minutes. What the 911 will ask are the exact details of the incident, including exact location and kind of help needed.

their quick response of dousing  the fire with a hose of water. Only one building was partially damaged in the incident. I credit that to the firefighters of Central 911,” Gamao said.

Willy Rogado remembered 17 years ago having sought the help of Central 911 in the conduct of urban search and rescue of his lost kin a ravine in Barangay Langub. He said his cousin had already been dead when retrieved by the personnel of the Central 911’s USAR unit.

“The Central 911 Urban Search and Rescue Unit had helped in lifting his body from the deep ravine,” Rogado said.

HISTORY

Central 911 was formally launched on September 27, 2002, which was a product of a collaborative undertaking between the Davao Light and Power Company and the City Government of Davao to aid in minimizing the increasing crime incidents in the city.

It initially originated as a street lighting project which featured a Geographic Information System that aimed to improve the existing lighting facilities, as well as address the growing crime rate then. Eventually, Central 911 evolved into a centralized and integrated system that links the residents to the nearest emergency responders.

The Central 911, which started during the mayoral administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, was sustained and improved by then Mayor, now Vice President Sara Duterte during her term as mayor, and enhanced by Mayor Sebastian Duterte where it attained its state-of-the-art equipment, skills and efficiency.

Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Alfredo Baloran, who is the current Central 911 in-charge, stressed that the services of the Central 911 are free.

Baloran said the medical assistance unit is loaded with medical equipment and are supported by ambulances and ambu-bus.

SERVICES AND RESPONSE SYSTEM

Equipped with both dedicated and trained personnel and logistical resources, the Central 911 provides quality and efficient response services. These include medical assistance for emergencies; search and rescue operations; fire suppression; and augmentation through its own K-9 services.

It maintains strategic coordination and linkage with other law enforcement offices or agencies such as the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO), Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC), Philippine Coast Guard, among others.

According to Baloran, when contacting Central 911 for police assistance, the call center agent would ask the name of the caller, his address and service being requested.

The call center agent will then called the nearest police station of the caller/requesting party so that the police could respond immediately; response team usually arrive in the vicinity within six minutes after the call.

He explained further that the Emergency Calls Answering Point and Dispatch (ECAP-D) unit is mainly responsible in receiving emergency calls, logging of necessary information on the computer-Aided and Response Emergency Dispatch System and dispatching of the appropriate resources nearest to the scene of the emergency, providing a 24/7 coverage.

Dedicated trainers and handlers train these SAR dogs to detect human scent. Hence, during earthquakes and floods, collapsed building scenario, mass-casualty incidents, and locating missing people, SAR dogs are very valuable.

BRINGING SERVICES TO THE PEOPLE

The City aims to bring the services of Central 911 down to the people through the establishment of more bases in Barangays Marilog, Panacan and Toril. The Barangay Toril satellite station is almost complete and it will be operationalized soon.

Baloran said that one of the plans of the CDRRMO is to put up another satellite station in Barangay Malabog in Paquibato District.

He also stressed that as workers of the city government, the personnel of Central 911 have either a contract of service or a plantilla position.

The city government provides regular training to the Central 911 personnel to ensure efficient and effective delivery of services to the people. Training for every function occurs every six months.

RECOGNITION

The Central 911 of Davao City has received numerous recognitions at the national and regional levels for its commendable services to the people.

In 2022, it was conferred Best Government Emergency Management Systems and Response Team (GEMs) award during the 22nd Gawad KALASAG Seal, bagging also P300,000 cash award. The annual search is led by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The same award was also won Central 911 in 2018 and 2019. This year, after winning as Regional Champion in the same category, Balonan is hopeful that they will again make it at the national level.

The Gawad KALASAG is a yearly competition for all local government units, schools, higher education institutions, hospitals, non-government organizations, civil society organizations, volunteer groups, and private entities that demonstrated outstanding efforts in disaster risk reduction and management. (JSGD/ PIA Davao)