The Tagbilaran City Fire Station (TCFS) grappling with the lack of firefighting tools and equipment has been counting on donations to fight potential fires in the city.

Banking on the generosity of their peers from other countries, the TCFS is expected to receive hand me down firefighting protection gears such as helmets, jackets, pants and boots from fire stations abroad.

Aging firetrucks have been the backbone of the TCFS while the firefighter-to-population ratio is 1:2687 against the ideal ratio of 1:2000.

The city needs one firetruck to serve 3,089 residents.

Tagbilaran has a population of 105,051 according to the 2015 census of population.

Acting city fire marshal, Senior Inspector Raul Bustalino told DYRD Balita that fire departments in other countries have responded to their requests for donations of all kinds of equipment from less privileged counterparts in developing countries.

The donation of used firefighting assets, according to Bustalino will greatly impact on a safer and efficient working conditions of the city’s firefighters.

The use of funds from the local disaster and risk reduction management of the city will augment the city’s earmarked sum for the acquisition of additional two 1,000-gallon capacity firetrucks and water tanks, and the installation of more fire hydrants in strategic areas in the city.

Undermanned, the TCFS plans to reactivate the Tagbilaran City Confederation of Volunteer Fire Brigade to beef up the present 59 personnel with 34 assigned to operations, 12 to fire prevention, 5 in the administrative section and 8 trainees. (Chito M. Visarra and Rey Tutas)