The new Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) chief in Bohol on Wednesday raised concerns over the lack of equipment and firetruck for operations in the province.
According to Bohol fire marshal Supt. Sheila Caresosa Andrade, more firetrucks are needed in Bohol particularly in Tagbilaran City due to the growing number of establishments in the city.
There are 56 firetrucks in the province and some of these are no longer in service while others regularly conk out as these are old units, said Andrade.
There are 12 firetrucks in Tagbilaran City but the units are not enough to adequately cater to the growing city, she added.
In Panglao, the BFP is also in need of more firefighting vehicles with the projected economic growth of the municipality as completion of the new international airport in the town draws near.
Andrade also pointed out that the province’s BFP is undermanned as she cited the need for new recruits.
According to the new fire chief, the BFP has already relayed its appeal for more equipment and vehicles to the Department of Interior and Local Government through Gov. Edgar Chatto.
She also appealed to municipal mayors to donate firetrucks to their respective municipalities particularly towns that still do not have firetrucks and fire stations.
Earlier, the BFP 7 reported that 11 towns in the province still do not have fire stations.
Senior Supt. Samuel Tadeo, BFP-7 director, identified the 11 municipalities as San Isidro, Dagohoy, Danao, Lila, Duero, Guindulman, Loboc, Cortes, Corella, Getafe and San Miguel. (A. Doydora)