Members of the Society of Communicators and Networkers International (SCAN) in the Ecclesiastical District of Agusan del Sur, Philippines, underwent a two-day training activity to hone their emergency response capabilities.

On August 22, 2026, they participated in an Emergency First Response (EFR) training at the Patin-ay Gymnasium in Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. Two weeks later, on September 5, they held an Amateur Radio Training Seminar within the San Francisco house of worship compound.

As its name signifies, the EFR seminar provided  participants the proper training and demonstration of emergency-response procedures. One of the resource speakers, Roselito Enlahosta, a SCAN member from the Local Congregation of Sta. Cruz, shared, “We first teach them the guidelines and theories so they will know how to properly apply what they learned when an actual accident or emergency occurs.”

With Enlahosta was Michael Redondez of the Trento Congregation. Both recognized Save A Life Initiative trainers, they trained the participants in emergency-response skills, which were bandaging and bleeding control, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and techniques for safely assisting or transferring patients when standard equipment is unavailable.

Meanwhile, for the Amateur Radio Training seminar, Redondez served as resource speaker. Guided by the district Christian Family Organizations (CFO) overseer, Brother Darwin Paras, Redondez detailed amateur-radio laws, proper use and handling of two-way radios, Q-codes, callsign prefixes and suffixes, and procedures for participating in radio net calls and roll calls.

On his part, Brother Paras emphasized the importance of keeping SCAN members prepared, especially during calamities. “It is very important for SCAN members to be trained in rescue work so that they will be ready for whatever calamities or untoward incident may occur in the different local congregations in our district,” he said. “They should be prepared to help not only Church members but also nonmembers who are also in need of assistance during times of disaster.”

On behalf of fellow officers, district SCAN president, Ulyses Maisog, said, “We will strive to fulfill our duty by helping our brethren and other people who need assistance, especially during calamities and situations that require rescue.”