New BFP training center, to enhance capabilities of volunteers

By Carlo P. Gonzaga

Thursday 7th of June 2012

BATANGAS CITY, June 7 (PIA) -- With the opening of the newly constructed training center of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in this city, the capabilities of the BFP volunteers in responding during calamities are expected to be enhanced further.

City Fire Marshall Rommel Tradio said the training center named as volunteers auxiliary for disaster (VAD) preparedness network or VAD preparedness.net training center, situated at the BFP compound, was built with funding provision from AGAP Party List.

“AGAP Party List provided the budget for the construction of the building with recommendation from Mayor Vilma Dimacuha who believes in the competencies of the volunteers,” Tradio said

He added that the strengthening of the community-based emergency responders and the establishment of the training center are part of the second phase of the VAD preparedness.net program.

In a statement, Mayor Vilma Dimacuha said the building will be a center for meeting and training for the 15 volunteer organizations serving under the BFP. Through the center, the 200 volunteers are expected to become more effective in responding to rescue and emergency assistance.

Notable among these volunteer organizations are the Batangas Resuce and Emergency Assistance (BREA) Inc., Kabalikat Civicom 964 Chapter, Tau Gamma Phi-Batangas City Council, and Treskelion Rescue and Emergency Assistance Team (TREAT).

Meanwhile, a memorandum of agreement for the turnover of the training center was signed between the city government, the BFP, officers of volunteer organizations, and AGAP Party List representatives. (Carlo P. Gonzaga, PIA4A with report from PIO-Batangas City)