Lapu, M’daue firemen ready for high-rise fires

Despite the lack of equipment, Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue City fire stations are still capable of rescuing people inside high rise building if the need arises.

Chief Insp. Rogelio Bongabong, Mandaue City fire marshal, said recently that despite the lack of breathing apparatus, he was confident that Mandaue firefighters would be able to conduct rescues in high-rise buildings.

“Confident mi nga maka rescue mi bisan wala mi breathing apparatus,” Bongabong said while pointing out that they can always tap other fire responders like the Filipino-Chinese, the Bureau of Fire Protection 7, and the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (Eruf).

Bongabong cited the fire department’s aerial ladder which can reach 40 feet; two fire engine trucks which contain 1000 gallons and two super tankers which can carry 1,500 gallons of water as among the reasons for his confidence in facing a fire in high-rise buildings.

Bongabong was also banking on building sprinklers which are major safety features for new buildings to help put out fires.

Lapu-Lapu Fire Officer 1 Randy Camilotes also said major hotels and resorts in the city had installed sprinklers, automatic fire suppression systems and fire alarm systems.

However, Camilotes said some malls’ fire alarms are manually operated.

He said most high righ hotels and resorts in Lapu-Lapu City also have fire brigades and automatic smoke detectors connected to the fire alarm systems.

FO1 Climaco Salidsid, information officer, said the fire station lacks an aerial ladder but they could always seek the help of other fire responders.

The Lapu-Lapu City Fire Station has seven firetrucks.