The City also turned over a fire truck each to Barangays Basak Pardo, Basak San Nicolas, Suba and Quiot. The vehicles are worth P3.5 million each.

Their purchase was charged to this year’s disaster fund.

At present, 26 lowland barangays already have their own fire trucks and fire volunteer brigades.

Mayor Michael Rama and Councilor Dave Tumulak led the blessing and turnover ceremony of the firefighting vehicles yesterday in front of City Hall, in time for the celebration of the first Engineering Week organized by the Department of Engineering and Public Works.

Tumulak said the P60-million fire truck with an aerial ladder, which can reach buildings taller than 22 floors, is due for delivery from abroad.

Morale booster

“These fire trucks will boost the morale of the Cebuanos because the City is already capable of supporting out firefighters. In case of fire, they can easily control it because we have enough fire trucks. We are giving back the taxes of our people through buying fire equipment for their safety,” Tumulak said.

Asked about the timing of the turnover, considering it’s days before elections on May 9, Tumulak reiterated Rama’s earlier stand that politics is not involved in the distribution.

“We need to give it right away because these vehicles are essential to the public and will serve the residents of the city,” he pointed out.

The new paramedic designation, which was received this week from the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency, enables the engine to respond to a call without an ambulance and treat a wider array of medical cases including asthma, a heart attack and broken bones.

San Marino Fire Chief Mario Rueda, who was very enthusiastic about Engine 91’s new paramedic capabilities, attributed the department’s successful transition to the “good hearts and good brains” of the department’s fire fighters.

“We’ve raised the bar on hiring,” said Chief Rueda, noting that all new hires must have paramedic and firefighter credentials.

SMFD’s firefighters each have 1,500 hours of paramedic training and receive an additional eight hours of continuing education every month from the UCLA Paramedic School.

Paramedic Coordinator and Firefighter/Paramedic Jeff Tsay said Engine 91’s added capability will be helpful in situations when an ambulance is out of the station and another call comes in, which was the case during the time of this interview.