Fire volunteer group braces for fire month

A FIRE volunteer group in this Iloilo City is getting ready to meet contingencies for the Fire Prevention Month this March 2013, according to Francis Wong, president of the Iloilo Citizens Action Group (ICAG).

Wong said his organization composed mostly of Filipino-Chinese residents in Iloilo is bracing up as the city suffered several fire incidents since January 2013.

Last February 23, a total of 109 houses were damaged by fire in Sitio Sinikway, Barangay Tabucan, Mandurriao. The incident was followed by several fire incidents almost every day by demolishing two to six houses in most congested areas.

Wong said that ICAG was established in 1979 in Iloilo City and celebrates its 34th anniversary as a fire volunteer brigade to help the City Government and the Bureau of Fire Prevention (BFP) in its fight against fire incidents.

So far, there are 100 members with 60 active ones. The group has 10 fire trucks in good running condition, one truck with a ladder to reach five to six story buildings and a new fire truck donated last week by philanthropist Henry Chusuey.

Wong said their members, employees and relatives underwent several trainings with the BFP and Philippine Red Cross on fire fighting, first aid and emergency cases, including bloodletting.

ICAG mission is foremost and this is to contain the fire, and save lives and properties in cooperation with the government, Wong added.