Fire bureau asks city gov't for new equipment, gear

For lack of funding, the Bureau of Fire Protection 7 seeks to work for the modernization of the fire department with the help of the city government in the purchase of additional firefighting equipment and gears to go with a fire suit worth P250,000 donated by House Speaker Jose de Venecia.

BFP 7 director Vitoriano Remedio said they appreciate having the fire suit, as this would help firefighters penetrate a burning building and conduct rescue operations. The suit is made of fire-resistant material and is imported from Austria.

"We could put out the fire immediately if our firemen are able to penetrate the base of fire," he pointed out.

According to him the fire department here needs more fire suits and equipment to boost the efficiency and response to emergencies of its firemen. "I hope Mayor (Tomas) Osmeña will give us additional firefighting suits because we really don't have the capacity to buy more. We are dependent on the local government units," Remedio said.

Aside from Cebu City, the fire official said that 15 other cities also received the fire suits imported from Austria distributed by de Venecia.

Remedio said that the House Speaker is batting for the modernization of the fire departments in the country to make them capable in putting out fires immediately and conduct rescue operations. This after the legislator's house was razed by fire two

years ago that led to the demise of his youngest daughter.

Despite their desire to work for the modernization of the fire department to make it at par with other nations and make it capable not only to respond quickly to fires but also to conduct rescue operations, Remedio said, "But our problem is lack of funds for us to buy additional suits and equipment. I will try to convince the mayor to buy additional suits like this one." - Wenna A. Berondo