Makati orders holding of fire drills

The Makati City government has ordered its fire department to conduct more fire drills in the slum areas and ensure that all houses comply with the safety rules.

Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay directed Fire Marshall Superintendent Arsenio Tabajonda to coordinate with the city’s Barangay officials in coming up with measures to prevent fires, particularly in the slum colonies.

Starting June 5, the Makati Fire Department will start conducting the fire drills in order to test the preparedness of the city’s poor residents as well as the firemen themselves.

A total of 160 fire drills have been conducted by the fire department, all of which involved commercial establishments.

An assessment of the fire department’s 17 fire trucks will also be conducted to determine its efficiency in responding to emergency situations.

Tabajonda also announced that the fire department would be accepting volunteers from the ranks of the residents in order to beef up their force. – Marvin Sy