THE Bureau of Fire Protection-Davao Region (BFP-Davao) is set to expand its reach and improve emergency response in Davao City with the proposed establishment of additional fire substations in several key districts within the year.
Target areas for the new substations include Buda, Marilog, Baguio District, Paquibato, Buhangin, Maa, and Panacan. These locations have already undergone initial site surveys conducted in coordination with the City Engineer’s Office and the BFP, according to Fire Inspector Russell Jake Maranon, spokesperson for the Davao City Fire District, during a press briefing on May 14, 2025.
According to Maranon, there are only 15 fire stations and substations serving the city's 182 barangays, posing a significant challenge in terms of response time and fire safety coverage.
The BFP-Davao official believes the expansion will lead to faster response times during emergencies and strengthen community fire safety education and outreach.
Meanwhile, the BFP-Davao also welcomed the turnover of four new fire trucks, which were distributed to fire stations in Bangoy, the city’s oldest fire station — Bucana SIR, Sasa, and Cabantian. These vehicles are expected to significantly enhance firefighting operations in their respective areas.
While there is no finalized timeline yet, the BFP-Davao expressed optimism that the construction of the new substations can be completed within this year or the next.
The move is part of the city’s continuing efforts to strengthen fire safety infrastructure and preparedness amid the growing demands of urban development and population growth. DEF