Safety Services is one of the service arms of the Philippine Red Cross tasked with a national educational campaign to ensure the health and safety of the Filipino people. To effectively carry out the task, the safety services program includes the conduct of training in First Aid, Basic Life Support (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation), Water Safety (Swimming and Lifesaving), Accident Prevention, and other technical training.

The Safety Services also renders first aid, ambulance, beach patrol and lifeguarding and rescue services. First Aid Competitions and mass educational campaigns are also organized to enhance the skills of first aiders.

Safety Services continuously develops its training and carries out its service outlets through its 102 chapters all over the country, making Philippine Red Cross the champion in First Aid, Basic Life Support, Emergency Medical Services and Technical Training.

Through its efforts its programs now consist of other technical lifesaving courses that includes, Emergency Medical Technician-Basic, and Mass Casualty Incident Training, among others. Safety Services devotes its effort in advocacies such as, Road Safety and Emergency Medical Services System. This is possible with the help of its selfless staff and volunteers all over the country. Safety Services is committed in advancing its goal: “One first aider in every family.”

In 1927, a First Aid and Life Saving Committee was formed for the Red Cross - Philippine Chapter followed by the formation of a Lifesaving Corps. First aid, however, did not develop alongside with Lifesaving until the 1940’s when the clouds of war were massing at the horizon. The demand for first aid instruction throughout the islands was overwhelming that the Chapter was unable to cope.

On September 1941, the First Aid and Water Safety Service was then organized to expand its programs and prepare for the Japanese invasion. An estimated 5,800 men and women from different walks of life were trained and risked their lives to serve at first aid stations and emergency hospitals.

After World War 2, the title of the department was changed “Safety Services (Safety Services)” with Dr. Romeo Y. Atienza as Director, but in 1948, the Medical Services were formed with Safety Services as a section alongside the Blood Program. The Safety Services was separated to establish as a distinct department on the 26th of July 1966.

Contact us at firstaid@redcross.org.ph or prc.ems@redcross.org.ph to know us more.