12 firefighters in Cebu City sidelined by COVID-19
CEBU CITY—The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has also affected some firefighters in the city.
SFO2 Wendell Villanueva, public information officer of the Cebu City Fire Station, said 12 firefighters in the city tested positive for COVID-19.
“Despite our stringent measures, some of our personnel still contracted the virus,” said Villanueva.
Three of the infected firefighters have recovered, while the nine others remained in isolation.
“I would like to assure the public that everything is manageable. We’ve done the needed interventions. There was never an instance that these infected personnel were asked to respond. They were isolated immediately,” said Villanueva.
Villanueva said the city fire station was still capable of responding to fire alarms even if three fire sub-stations were placed under isolation after some of their personnel contracted the virus.
“We still have six functioning fire sub-stations in the city so there is nothing to worry about. We also have the different fire brigade in our barangays that are very active,” said Villanueva.
At the time when the city was placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) last March, the city fire station immediately came up with measures to protect firefighters from the virus.
Villanueva explained that the city fire station launched an advocacy campaign called “stay away from us, we stay away from you.”
Under the campaign, the public is asked to observe safe distance from responders during firefighting operations to prevent possible spread of the virus.
“During firefighting operations, we are appealing to the public to stay away from firefighters. We know that their intentions are noble, they just want to help but in this time of pandemic, it is better to observe safe distance,” said Villanueva.
Responders also undergo decontamination every after a firefighting operation.
Just like other frontliners such as the police and jail personnel, the city fire station, headed by Fire Chief Insp. Josephus Alburo, is also active in the campaign against COVID-19.
“We have firetrucks patrolling the city with public address system. We disseminate information with respect to COVID-19 prevention as well as fire prevention,” Villanueva said.