Fire Stations Lack Personnel, Equipment

Fire stations in the province need more personnel and firefighting apparatus and equipment.

This was confirmed by Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) - Region 7 director, Senior Supt. Ma. Luisa Hadjula during her two-day visit here on Thursday and Friday to conduct inspections of schools, boarding houses and local business establishments.

Hadjula said the lack of personnel and equipment are the most common problems raised by fire stations in the entire region.

The lady fire chief personally conducted the inspections of schools as part of the convergence initiative of the regional Department of Education (DepEd) on its OPLAN Balik Eskwela program.

Aside from the inspections, Hadjula said also wanted to check on current problems and concerns of the BFP personnel and the provincial and city fire marshals.

She said most fire stations raised concern on their lack of personnel and insufficient firefighting apparatus.

Based on BFP standards, a fire station should have one fire truck to be manned by at least seven personnel per shift. She admitted most fire stations here do not meet the requirement.

Hadjula however assured she is trying to address the problems of the fire stations by coordinating with local government units and the private sector to build a solid partnership needed to support fire stations.

The BFP regional head likewise called on the support and cooperation of local officials in the implementation of the Fire Code of the Philippines, as she also appealed to business owners to secure business permits before they operate so that BFP personnel can check fire safety compliance of their buildings.

Hadjula conduct simultaneous inspections of schools here together with Bohol fire marshal Pepe Rebusa and city fire chief Insp. Manases Bautista to ensure the safety of the students and abate fire hazards and other related emergencies.

"We want to make sure safety compliance and to conduct inspections on the wirings in schools as well as boarding houses as this will also intensify fire safety awareness," she said.

Local fire officials were directed to issue notices of violations on schools, dormitories and boarding houses not following the directives set by the BFP.