Makati gets new mobile command center, heavy response vehicles

MAKATI CITY, 13 April (PIA) -- The local government has acquired new service and support vehicles as part of its efforts to improve disaster preparedness and response in the city.

Makati City Mayor Kid Peña on Monday led the turnover ceremonies of 11 new ambulances, 1 ladder fire truck, 1 super tanker fire truck, two amphibious vehicles and a deployable command center.

Peña said these equipment will be used for fire prevention, rescue and mitigation in Makati especially in times of disasters. He also highlighted that focusing on the preparedness of the city during calamities is included in his 10-point agenda.

 He said that other preparedness and response equipment and tools in the pipeline would further bolster the city’s capabilities in fighting the common hazards. “With the ladder fire truck, Makati would be able to respond to high rise fires not only in the city, but also in other areas in the metropolis,” Peña said.  

The city has many high rise buildings, and the challenge of fighting fires at heights could now be addressed by the ladder fire truck capable of reaching 20-storey buildings.

Meanwhile, the deployable command center is a stand-alone command center that can be erected anywhere near the site of a disaster. It can function as a mirror command center in case the permanent command center is destroyed, and equipped with the necessary communications tools. Planning the response and rescue strategies could also be conducted in the deployable command center.

Earlier, Peña turned over the Public Safety Department 48 Kawasaki ER 250cc motorcycle units to strengthen its peace and order functions, and make the streets safer for the residents and stakeholders in the city. (ICRD/RJB/JCP/PIA-NCR)