Cebu City’s Fire Dept. Gets 18-Story Aerial Ladder Worth PHP57-M

The Cebu City government on Monday turned over to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Central Visayas an 18-story aerial fire ladder to be used by the city’s fire department.

The aerial ladder, the first of its kind in Cebu, was purchased by the previous administration for PHP57 million from a South Korean supplier.

Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office head, Nagiel Bañacia, led the turnover of the newest and most advanced fire equipment in the city to BFP-Central Visayas director, Sr. Supt. Samuel Tadeo.

Tadeo said the firetruck, the country’s most high-end equipment, will help them in their rescue and recovery operations in high-rise buildings.

High-rise buildings have mushroomed all over the city and in Metro Cebu over the past years.

Among the tallest buildings in the city are the twin condominium towers being constructed on Gen. Maxilom Ave. here, with 50 and 51 stories, respectively.

Tadeo said the 12 personnel assigned to man the aerial fire ladder, who were trained by the suppliers from South Korea, will not be reassigned to other areas to ensure the equipment’s operation and maintenance.

Bañacia said that while the truck is helpful, he hopes it would never be used in the city.

“How I wish that we won’t use this one and will not go out of the station because the moment we do, it would mean that something wrong is happening,” he said. (PNA) CVL/EB/EBP