BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- The Bureau of Fire Protection in the Cordillera region (BFP-CAR) is pushing for the installation of water tanks in every fire station in the region.

SF02 Leo Mendoza of BFP-CAR said provincial and municipal fire marshals were directed to coordinate with their local government units and seek their support to fund the project.

Mendoza said that not all fire stations in the region have water tanks. He underlined that having water tanks in every fire station is crucial to ensuring a reliable and immediate water supply especially when they respond to fire incidents.

"Kailangan kasi natin 'yan lalo na kung malayo 'yung pagsasalukan ng tubig. Hindi po kasi lahat ng istasyon ay may tangke ng tubig,[It’s really needed especially in areas where areas to fetch water are high. Not all the fire stations have water tanks],"

Mendoza said. In the absence of water tanks, firefighters rely on water refilling stations to quickly replenish their water supply and enable them to respond to fires.

Through the establishment of water storage tanks in fire stations, quick access to water in case of emergencies is ensured.

"If ever magkaroon ng fire emergency at during that time ay malayo ang pagsasalukan, dun sa fire station na kami magsasalok [If ever a fire emergency occurs and if our source of water is far, we can already fetch water in the fire station]," Mendoza said.

He said that this is essential especially in areas that are vulnerable to fire, especially forest and fires, given the prevailing El Niño and the forthcoming dry season, where more fires usually occur due to dry conditions.

BFP-CAR data showed that fire incidents in 2023 increased to 367 from 289 incidents in 2022. Most of the fire incidents were structural with 168, followed by forest fires with 100, and grass fires with 62. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)