The Security and Safety Office (SSO) of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs (OVCCA) through the initiative of its Crisis and Emergency Unit (CERU) conducted a Roundtable Discussion (RTD) on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) and Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) at the Obdulia F. Sison Hall on Aug. 29 at 8:30 am.
SSO section chiefs and team leaders, heads of laboratories in UPLB, and participants from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) attended the RTD.
The discussion focused on handling and managing laboratory fire-related accidents, breakage, chemical spills, CBRNE and HAZMAT, and implementing safety measures to minimize risks to health and safety inside the campus.
Jonathan D. Maliwat, CERU chief, presented the overview of the UPLB READY program. He said that the program focuses more on preparedness and proactive efforts to create a safe and secure environment for students, staff, and the community.
SFO3 Rodolfo De Guzman, Jr., deputy city fire marshal and chief of operations, Biñan City Fire Station, delivered a comprehensive presentation on best practices and protocols for handling CBRNE incidents and HAZMAT situations.
His expertise lent a practical perspective to the discussion, highlighting real-world scenarios and emphasizing the importance of swift and organized responses in such emergencies.
Moreover, his presentation touched on the significance of collaboration between institutions such as UPLB and external agencies like the fire department.
This collaboration is crucial in ensuring effective communication, coordinated responses, and access to specialized resources when dealing with hazardous incidents.
The RTD served as an open forum for the participants to exchange insights and experiences related to laboratory safety and emergency management.
It concluded with a renewed sense of awareness and commitment among the participants.
It marked a significant step forward in enhancing safety measures within the academic community.
By pooling together expertise from different sectors and learning from past incidents, UPLB and its partners are proactively working to ensure a secure and protected environment for everyone.
Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Roberto Cereno delivered an inspiring message emphasizing the importance of the readiness program and of being prepared in times of CBRNE/HAZMAT crisis. Atty. Eric Paul Peralta, who delivered the closing remarks, mentioned his plans to have more learning events on new crises and threats on the campus. (Grizelda Penales-Marza)
This article was originally published on the UPLB website.