The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) distributed 84 new ambulances to select city and municipal fire stations in the country to help them boost their emergency response services.

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said the distribution of new ambulances during simple ceremonies at the national headquarters of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Quezon City last Dec. 10, is a testament to the government’s commitment to public safety.

He also lauded the 34,000 BFP fire officers who serve as front-liners in protecting lives during emergencies and disasters despite challenges posed by a lack of facilities and equipment.

“These emergency vehicles will further empower our personnel as we remain committed to providing high-level emergency response and rescue services and improve our agency’s health services,” Abalos said in a statement Tuesday.

Abalos said of the 84 ambulances, Bicol and Central Visayas got seven units each while Ilocos Region, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and Caraga got six units each.

Meanwhile, Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, Davao Region, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and the Cordillera Administrative Region got five units each, while Central Luzon, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao each received four units.

“Isang pagpupugay rin sa ating mga kasamahan sa BFP. Sa pagkakataong lahat ay takot at tumatakbo palayo sa sunog at panganib, parati nating makikita ang BFP na nasa harapan – nasa gitna ng aksyon, umaapula ng sunog, sumusuong sa mataas na tubig, nagre-rescue, tumutulong (Also a tribute to our colleagues in the BFP. When everyone is scared and running away from fire and danger, we always see the BFP at the front – in the middle of the action, putting out the fire, going to high water, rescuing, helping),” Abalos said.

Each Type-1 Basic Life Support Ambulance is a top-of-the-line Nissan Urvan NV350 built and designed to comply with local and international standards, not only for transporting patients but also to provide emergency care and avoid aggravating the patient’s injury or illness while transported.

It is equipped with a doctor/EMT/paramedic seating and a negative pressure system that can eliminate at least three types of viruses to keep BFP personnel safe during its operation.

It also comes with a two-way radio communication device, ventilation airway equipment, monitoring and defibrillator, chest compression device, immobilization device, dressing and bandages, obstetrical delivery set, infection control and various EMS kits and supplies.

He also urged local government units to work closely with their local fire station commanders to keep their communities safe, resilient and emergency-ready, especially with an expected surge of emergencies during the yuletide season.

Abalos said the DILG will keep on training barangay officials to become force multipliers in times of fire and other calamities and tap the help of the private sector to provide fire officers and volunteers with health and hospitalization benefits.

“Starting from the grassroots, let us join hands in creating resilient communities. Let us be innovative in the face of challenges. Magtulungan po tayo para sa ating adhikaing matulungan ang ating kapwa Pilipino (Let’s work together to help our fellow Filipinos),” he added. (PNA)