CDO needs modern equipment, firetrucks: BFP

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – This city needs more firetrucks and other fire-fighting equipment in keeping with rapid urbanization, an official of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said.

Superintendent Alan Cabot, the city fire marshal, said Wednesday the needed upgrade would enable this city to respond to conflagrations that occur in high-rise buildings such as condominiums and hotels that have sprouted in recent years.

For instance, Cabot said the city must have firetrucks equipped with an aerial ladder that can respond to fires in skyscrapers.

Cabot said President Rodrigo Duterte has recently committed PHP15 billion for the BFP modernization.

Presently, Cagayan de Oro has 12 fire stations with 16 fire trucks from the BFP and 13 from the private fire volunteer brigades.

Cabot said this is not enough based on the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) guidelines that require a firetruck for every 25,000 population.

He said Mayor Oscar Moreno has already committed to help the local BFP office establish four more four fire stations, especially in villages far from the city center.

Cabot said they are also targeting to organize Community Fire Auxiliary Group (CFAG) in all of the city’s 80 villages.

“The CFAGs play a vital role in firefighting as we consider them our force multiplier,” he said during the 4th Fire Olympics held Wednesday here.

Chief Superintendent Lindy Lauzon, BFP-10 director, underscored the importance of community volunteer groups such as CFAG in immediately responding to fires.

“With the presence of the CFAGs, we expect them to do the necessary initial action against the destruction fire. That’s how important their role is,” Lauzon said.

During their Olympics, 13 barangays participated in various competitions aimed at enhancing firefighting skills.

The village of Bayabas fire volunteer brigade emerged as the grand winner of this year's city-level Olympics that will compete in the regional level on the 4th quarter of this year, while Miss Jamie Aster Mirah Durano of Barangay Bayabas is this year's Miss Cagayan de Oro Fire Olympics 2019. (PNA)