THE recent unfortunate incident where unruly residents mauled two fire volunteers while they were merely responding to a fire is an eye-opener of sorts.
It is probably high time that enough police officers are also deployed during fire incidents, to at least ensure protection of fire responders who are at times at the receiving end of the violent behavior of residents who, out of desperation to save their homes, resort to the unimaginable, like grabbing the hoses from the firefighters so they can train them on their own houses.
The incident took place in a barangay in Port Area, Manila, where two members of the Baseco Fire Volunteer team were beaten by residents after their fire truck temporarily ran out of water.
Reports said the enraged residents attacked the volunteers, who belong to the Baseco Fire Volunteer Team, with wooden planks, hitting them in the head. The violence only stopped when calmer residents intervened.
Thank God there were still residents who understood logic and rational behavior in times of such situations.
According to a report from the Manila Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the said fire that took place on Friday (October 17) began at 1:26 p.m. and quickly reached second alarm at 1:34 p.m.before it was finally declared ‘fire out’ at 2:22 p.m.
Fortunately, no one else was reported injured or killed in the fire. Its cause and estimated damage to property remain unknown.
The attack reportedly frightened other fire volunteers, prompting some to leave the scene — a reaction that’s difficult to fault. Can we blame them?
As of this writing, authorities are still investigating the incident and have yet to identify the attackers and charge them accordingly.
It is worth mentioning here that the volunteer firefighters do not get paid for what they do. They render genuine public service in the truest sense of it.
These men and women risk their lives for others without pay, hazard allowances, or medical support if injured. When they perish, their families receive no government aid.
They do not get hazard pay or even free hospitalization if they get injured while responding to fire incidents. If they die, their families do not get support from the government.
This is one reason why my philanthropist-friend Gerie Chua had thought of putting up a food establishment, the Cafe Mezzanine.
It is meant to generate income that would help volunteer firefighters who get injured or perish while discharging their sworn functions of providing free service in cases of fire.
These fire volunteers have undergone proper training and follow a systematic way of putting out fires and must not be faulted if their trucks run out of water supply because it does happen. I remember one volunteer relaying a traumatic incident where some residents axed the hoses of their firetruck when they also ran out of water.
It is sad that these days, people have seemingly lost their sense of gratitude. Look at what they did to the Manila Police District (MPD) policemen who were only doing their best to maintain peace and order in Manila when violence struck during the September 21 rallies there.
Being a fire volunteer is a thankless job.
Let us not make them regret or worse, give up what they do. I repeat, they do not get paid for such a risky job. The least we can do is thank them, something they do not get, even from the residents of the very areas where they respond.
I hope the MPD will be able to identify those who attacked the Baseco fire volunteers and put them to justice. Otherwise, it will send the wrong message that fire volunteers are there for the beating by ruthless and ingrate residents who only care about themselves.
Fire volunteers do not deserve this kind of treatment. They should be hailed as heroes.
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