The Baguio Fire Department is eying the put up of two more fire substations in strategic areas in the city to boost the bureau’s firefighting activities in suppressing fire incidents that may transpire anytime.
Fire Superintendent Nestor Gorio, city fire marshal of the Baguio Fire Department, stated that the areas being considered for the put up of the proposed substations are in Pacdal and along Marcos Highway.
At present, the Baguio Fire Department has 3 existing fire substations in Aurora Hill, Quirino Hill and Irisan.
Gorio pointed out that the put up of fire substations in strategic areas will definitely help in efficiently and effectively responding to calls for emergency during fire incidents in their respective areas of jurisdiction to avoid extensive damages that may be inflicted to life and limb.
The fire officer claimed that the existing fire stations are equipped with fire trucks, firefighting equipment and personnel to ensure speedy response when there will be calls for emergency.
According to him, the personnel complement of the Baguio Fire Department is steadily increasing because of the annual hiring of additional fire officers by the bureau to enhance its firefighting capabilities in the future.
He revealed that from the previous 60 to 70 personnel, the bureau’s manpower increased to 87 that is why some of them were reassigned to the existing fire substations for better emergency response.
Gorio was reassigned as city fire marshal after the bureau decided to increase the rank of the responsible officer who will be assigned to head the same from the previous Chief Inspector to Fire Superintendent because Baguio is a highly urbanized city.
Aside from getting additional personnel compliment from the bureau, he stipulated that the Baguio Fire Department continues to partner with the barangays for the organization of their respective barangay fire brigade volunteers and the private sector for the creation of their own firefighting teams that could be tapped for assistance during fire incidents in the different parts of the city.
He assured concerned sectors in the city that the areas being proposed to serve as the sites for the put up of additional fire substations have substantial sources of water that could be tapped to ensure adequate water supply for fire suppression in the said areas.
Gorio reminded the people to be extra careful during the dry season because of the potential increase in fire incidents due to open flame, unattended lighted candle, deliberately disposed cigarette butts and children playing with matches or lighters.
Gorio asserted that residents should be reminded that fire incidents inflict significant damages to properties and even cause the loss of lives, that is why prevention should be the utmost priority for everyone.
