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Monday, August 01, 2005
Federation fire: Ordinary people doing extra-ordinary work
By Kathy Villalon Cinco
IN THE Philippines, firefighting isn't a glamorous job.
In fact, it does not pay well, yet it demands so much from a firefighter. For volunteers, it is a lot more different because they are not paid for doing something as risky as firefighting. When a fire call takes place, a firefighter does not think twice. Whether he's in a very important function or spending time with one's family, all these have to be left behind so he can save lives and properties. Never mind if the person left behind gets mad or payment of a restaurant bill gets postponed.
This was realized by this writer after interviewing three ground commanders - Jess Sio, Edwin Tan and Boy Tan, all of the Federation Iloilo Fire Brigade Incorporated or popularly known as "Federation Fire."
They are among the 40 active volunteer firefighters which has been existing for 35 years. It was formerly called the Iloilo Filipino Chinese Fire Prevention Association Incorporated (Filchifp) and founded by Don Go Pun and some Filipino-Chinese Ilonggo businessmen. A big fire in the 1960s that engulfed three quarters of Iloilo City in flames led to the founding of this association.
The association is under the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Panay (FFCCCI). While the former is engaged in the firefighting aspect, the latter is into socio-civic activities.
Commitment to serve
Federation Fire Volunteers, have come to the assistance of numerous people whose lives and properties were threatened by flames. They have been to hell, so to speak, and lived to tell the tale of each fire they fight.
As soon as a fire call is made through their hotline (337-97-60), Sio said that the Federation Fire confirms this as well as coordinate with the Bureau of Fire and Protection. Once they reach the scene, their first step is to assess the area.
"We have to see the risk, how big the fire is, where its base is and how big the damage would be," Sio said.
After the assessment, the volunteers will then check for any sign of life inside the burning building or house. "Our priority is to save lives and next, are properties. We never assume if a person is still alive or not. Either way, we have to perform an extraction," he said.
Contrary to what others think, firefighting has to be planned. That's why one does not necessarily discharges water on the area or immediately enter. "We have to make sure that the electric company puts off the power first. Besides, it's easier to navigate the area when there's fire instead of smoke. Smoke can hamper visibility," Edwin Tan said.
Tan admits there are also challenges when it comes to dealing with the owners of the houses. He relates that once, a fellow volunteer was almost stabbed by a resident because the latter wanted his house saved first. There was another incident where two owners grappled with the hose.
After every fire, the volunteers get their tired bodies replenished with refreshments like hot arozcaldo provided by the brigade. Moreover, the work does not stop there. The group would have a post-fire evaluation to see if there are mistakes that should not happen the next time.
Tan said that what eases the tiredness is when people profusely thank them for their service.
Every year, they reaped in praises, citations and awards from cause oriented civic groups and local government units for its unwavering dedication.
Equipment
The Federation Fire modernized the fleet and its firefighting equipment. Starting with the first acquisition of Fire Engine No. 6, this was procured from the government and from then on has continuously upgraded their firefighting gear.
At present, President and City Councilor Ramon Cua Locsin, Fire Chief Walter Uy have contributed tremendously in the continuous modernization of the fleet with fund-raising campaigns, subsequently boosting the morale of the volunteers by raising needed funding for what was to become Iloilo City's premier volunteer fire fighting unit.
Plans are in the pipeline to expand the service of the Federation Fire to include Rescue Operations and Medical Emergency Crews tied to the local communications company so that when the time comes for their service to be needed again they are not just merely a call away but with the advancement of Mobile Phone Technology they will now be as we may borrow as often heard and read expression, "A text away".
The brigade has a group texting capacity. Once a fire call is made, all volunteers are made aware of this. They also have a 2way radio transceivers and this is expected to be functional for 24 hours. One volunteer even narrated that he sleeps with his radio under his pillow. The volunteers, who are mostly businessmen, also provide for their firefighting needs from their own pockets.
"When we have our dry runs and trainings, for example, we no longer depend on the brigade for extra expenses for meals. We also spend for our bunker/turnout gears and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) which cost almost P200,000 a set and that's not even brand new. Our gears (coat and pants) are made of PBI/Kevlar; helmets made of Kevlar/Thermoplastic/Thermofiber; fire boots made of Polyurethane Foam-Closed cell that can resist oil, chemical, salt and abrasion. It insulates a firefighter up to 18,000 volts. The fire retardant material used by the United States military. We are very particular about our safety, too," Sio said.
Education
The Federation Fire never ceases on its tracks. Among its future programs is to conduct seminars to schools to raise awareness on fire prevention.
Even children are holding their field trips at the fire station. "We demonstrate our firefighting techniques to them and remind them not to panic," Sio said.
The Federation Fire will be offering fire prevention education campaigns as well to companies who wish to have mock fire drills and fire prevention awareness seminars conducted to its employees.
Sio cited the Calumpang area example. Before, people would scamper with their belongings once a fire occurs. Now, after they were educated, their first response is to get their pails, fetch water and extinguish the fire.
"Education has helped them a lot," he said.
Volunteerism
Most of the volunteers started just for the fun of it. "At first, we started because we were influenced by our member-friends," Tan said. "Later on, the love for firefighting grows on you. It does not matter if we're not paid," he added.
In fact, some volunteers who came from well to do families are not ashamed of cleaning up the mess after each fire. "We're happy doing this," Sio said.
"Fear is also a part of our job," Tan said. "However, after a long time, we've learned to manage it. Once you're at the scene, your focus is on the work at hand."
Effective firefighter
When asked what the qualities of an effective firefighter are, Tan said, "Stamina and the sense of volunteerism."
So, there you have it. The volunteers have been there and lived to tell us that firefighting is a just cause./ www.federationfire.org
(August 1, 2005 issue)
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