The City Government of Davao is eyeing several strategic areas to build more fire stations to help improve the city’s fire emergency response.
Davao City Fire District Intelligence and Investigation chief
SFO4 Ramil E. Gillado, during the I-Speak Media Forum at the City Hall Conference Room held on Thursday, March 9, said the city currently has 15 fire stations, including the recently opened building located along J.P. Laurel Avenue.
“Meron pang tinatarget 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 Dabawenyos to be responsible, saying that fire prevention is everybody’s concern. He said to watch out for fire hazards in the workplace or home and keep items that can cause a fire in a safe place. CIO
