INTRODUCTION

Founded on July 25, 2003, the Iloilo City Emergency Responders, a response unit composed of both paid and volunteer staff, tasked to cater and respond to emergencies within the Iloilo City area of responsibility, it was founded together with the Iloilo City Crisis/Disaster Management Office, and acted as the in-house emergency responder of the latter.

Upon its creation ICER was composed only of six persons, namely; Launcelot Abanio, Darwin Joemil Papa, Eugene Lamasan, Philip Balmores, Randy Pleñago, and Robby Natividad; the six started the operation of ICER utilizing only basic improvised rescue and medical equipments. Nevertheless, the lack of proper equipment did not hamper the operation of the unit, it even pushed the pioneer members to seek more knowledge and expertise in specialized response fields to further enhance their knowledge and confidence in responding to emergencies.

2010, seven years after its foundation, and after having braved storms, fires, vehicular accidents, bombings, several other major incidents, and after braving a tough, dangerous, and more often deadly and hard-laden path, the Iloilo City Emergency Responders, its pioneers, team leaders and members have gone the distance, and have proven themselves worthy to be called the chosen few.

After seven years of hardships and trials, ICER has developed its ranks and personnel, at the moment there is around 150 volunteer and paid staff that are giving their precious time and energy for the safety of the citizens of Iloilo City.