Several dry fire hydrants in Cebu City stolen, vandalized

CEBU, Philippines - More than 10 years ago, the Cebu City government purchased millions of pesos worth of firefighting equipment, particularly the dry fire hydrants that were installed in strategic locations in the city’s congested barangays, but they may have been just a waste of money.

Cebu City fire marshal Esmael Codilla said that while such firefighting equipment is useful to firemen, these were just vandalized and destroyed by some miscreants who do not realize its importance.

A dry fire hydrant is made up of metal pipes three inches in diameter with its opening is usually installed beside the roads while the other end is placed in the interior portion of a congested area that could no longer be accessible to firetrucks.

The purpose of putting up of dry fire hydrants in the thickly-populated residential areas of Cebu City is to make it easy for firefighters to combat fires that erupt in interior areas.

“Kaming mga bombero mahimong adto ra unta mokonektar sa hose sa tumoy sa dry fire hydrants duol g’yod sa masunogan kay ang opening ani mao may bombahan og tubig sa mga firetrucks,” a fireman explained.

Codilla said some of the hydrants were already stolen, while others can no longer be used because these were vandalized or destroyed.

 “Ang uban gipaskan og mga bato,” he said.

The fire marshal yesterday announced the activities lined up for the month-long celebration of the Fire Prevention Month that will start on March 1.

It will include inspections of different establishments and buildings in the city to find out whether its operators and owners are complying with fire safety requirements.

He said the personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection will also demonstrate how to make a rescue from a tall building. These will be conducted at the Ayala Center and SM City on March 10 and 12.

With the theme “Fire Safety a challenge, concern and priority for everybody,” Codilla asked the public to be always careful and vigilant to prevent fires in their homes.

“Angay’ng magmatngon g’yod sila sa pagamit ingon man pagbutang sa mga posporo, pagdagkot og kandila, unya ang ilang mga appliances ilabi na ang electric fans ibton g’yod kon wala na gamita,” he said.

Codilla explained that usually there are more fire incidents during March because of the intense heat due to summer. There were 102 fire incidents recorded in Cebu City last year compared to 118 fires in 2007.

Codilla said the city fire department only has 20 vehicles, but only 13 of them are for firefighting.

He acknowledged the help of the Filipino-Chinese firefighters and the firemen from the various private companies, barangays and nearby local government units, who are ready to respond in case of huge fires.

The city also allocated funds for the repair of the water reservoirs strategically located in different places of Cebu City such as at F. Ramos St., Osmeña Blvd., San Nicolas and barangay Parian. — Rene U. Borromeo/BRP   (THE FREEMAN)