OFFICIALS of the Carcar City Fire Station admitted that their three fire trucks are in poor condition.

This is why the station’s personnel cannot get to a fire scene right away, said SFO1 Iyreen Coyoca, the deputy city fire marshal.

Coyoca said the engine of fire truck E-141 conked out while it was traversing an uphill portion in Poblacion 1—a village that the firefighters had to pass through before reaching Barangay Guadalupe, a portion of which was hit by fire last June 1, 2019.

She said the fire truck, which was purchased by the Bureau of Fire Protection, is 38 years old.

According to Operations Chief FO3 Romeo Urgel, the station’s two other fire trucks were donated by the City Government and the Capitol. The two vehicles have undergone several repairs.

Coyoca said government officials are already aware of the condition of the fire trucks, which are up for replacement.

“The vehicles pose a danger to the drivers, and they are risky for the crew,” Coyoca said in Cebuano.

Last Tuesday, June 4, City Fire Marshal Matt Reil Pono was summoned by the City Council during the regular session to answer a complaint by Guadalupe barangay officials that it took almost an hour for them to arrive at the scene when it was just a five minute drive away from the station.

Outgoing Vice Mayor Patrick Barcenas said the City Council will ask the Commission on Audit if the City is allowed to use the calamity fund to purchase a new fire truck. (KAL)