CEBU, Philippines - For the first time in so many years the Cebu City Fire Department earns praises for their prompt respond to a fire alarm at Jamesville Subdivision in barangay Lahug yesterday afternoon.
Lahug barangay Councilwoman Mary Ann delos Santos praised the city fire department for what she described as “quick” response to the fire alarm that only destroyed partially the house of retired general Benjamin Cruz.
De los Santos commended City Fire Marshal Aderson Comar for the fast response.
“I commend fire marshal Comar. He has exceeded my expectations! Very quick, efficient and professional in handling the alarm,” De Los Santos told The FREEMAN after the fire was put off.
Senior Fire Officer 1 Nilo Daculan said they received the fire alarm at 1:14 p.m. and declared under control four minutes later. The fire which started at the basement of the house of Cruz was immediately put off causing only a minimal damage of P100,000.
Comar has encouraged the public to report any complaints against his personnel, particularly on the matter of how they responded to fire alarms. He assured that sanctions will be imposed against the concerned personnel if the complaints are found to be valid.
“Akong panglatoson ang mga bombero nga makahimo’g sayop,” Comar said.
There were several instances that the public complained on how the firemen respond to fire alarms, including the delays in the arrival at the fire scene.
Mayor Michael Rama handpicked Comar to be the city’s fire marshal because of the latter’s background in rescue operations.
Last week, Comar challenged the Visayan Electric Company (VECO) to actively join in the campaign against illegal electrical connections because it is the usual cause of fires. Comar also recommended the expansion of narrow access roads in several barangays to ensure easy access of fire trucks during fire emergencies.
He explained that a minute delay of the arrival of the fire truck because of narrow access roads would mean destruction of more properties.
Aside from narrow roads, fire fighters also observed illegally parked vehicles which often hamper fire fighting operations. — (FREEMAN)