US donates anti-terror equipment to BFP

MANILA, Philippines - The United States’ Department of State donated to the Bureau of Fire Protection equipment that BFP officials said can be used in the event of a terror attack using weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

BFP acting director Chief Superintendent Rolando Bandilla said the equipment, loaded in a trailer van, consists of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), boots, hard hat, detection kit for chemicals, decontamination tent and decontamination pool.

Bandila said the BFP Special Reaction Unit (SRU) used similar equipment in responding to suspected anthrax attack at the US embassy on July 22, 2003; the mercury spill at St. Andrews School; the ammonia leak in Pasig City and in the Glorietta blast in 2007.

He said the US government officials turned over the equipment to the BFP during a visit and evaluation of the in-country Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program (ATAP).

“We are grateful to our visitors who are officials from the US Department of State, because you fully recognized the capability and potential of our personnel as first responders. We hope that you continuously provide us with the necessary equipment and support to fulfill our added mandate,” Bandilla told the US government officials.

Bandilla also said the BFP has been designated as first responder in case of calamities and typhoons.

The US ATA group pledged to donate additional WMD trailer van to the Cebu City Fire Bureau headed by Senior Superintendent Aloveel Ferrer.     – Cecille Suerte Felipe