LGU seeks to be more proactive in preventing catastrophe
THE LOCAL government is studying several strategic areas to build more fire stations to help improve the city’s fire emergency response.
SFO4 Ramil E. Gillado, Davao City Fire District Intelligence and Investigation chief, said during the I-Speak Media Forum at the City Hall on March 9 that the city currently has 15 fire stations, including the recently opened building located along J.P. Laurel Avenue.
“Meron pang tina-target na areas na tatayuan pa ng fire stations, considering sa progress ng city, ma traffic. Kailangang ma-cut ang distance sa time ng pag-respond, hinahabol natin ang oras (There are still targeted areas where fire stations will be built, considering the progress of the city, and the traffic. The response time must be cut, we are chasing time),” Gillado said.
He cited Maa, Bangkal, Bunawan, and Panacan as possible areas for future fire station buildings.
Gillado said that since there are growing business communities in far-flung areas like Marilog and Malabog, building fire stations there is also being considered.
“Nagpapasalamat kami city government sa tulong nila, yan yung kinu-coordinate na malagyan ng fire stations (We are grateful to the city government for the help, those are the areas being coordinated to put up fire stations),” he said.
Gillado also said Davao City currently has 417 fire personnel who respond to at least one to two fire incidents daily, with 18 fire trucks ready to respond anytime.
He thanked fire volunteers from private organizations and barangays for helping the city respond to previous fire incidents.
He added, “Ini-encourage natin ang mga barangays na magkaroon sila ng first responder sa kanilang barangay, community fire auxiliary group, at sariling fire truck mula sa kanilang budget. May mga barangays na rin na nagkaroon ng sariling fire truck at nagiging force multiplier natin sila (We encourage the barangays to have a first responder, a community fire auxiliary group, and their own fire truck from their budget. Some barangays already have their own fire trucks, and they become our force multiplier).”
The fire official also urged Davaoeños to be responsible, saying that fire prevention concerns everybody. He said to watch for fire hazards in the workplace or home and keep items that can cause a fire in a safe place.
Last month, a massive fire gutted more than 1,000 houses in two barangays, resulting in P9 million in damage.
Earlier, Gillado said the recent fire incidents in the city were caused by electrical short-circuit, open fire due to cooking and playing matches, and unattended overheated electrical appliances. He said 531 fire incidents happened in the whole year of 2022, where the estimated damage to property reached P63-Million and recorded three fatalities and nine injured. The two top areas of fire incidents include residential areas and rubbish and grass fires.
