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Fire fighters appeal for more funds
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Posted on Sep 29 1999
Fire officials appealed to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday for additional funding to ensure efficient delivery of emergency services to the community.
In signing a proclamation declaring first week of October as Fire Prevention Week, the governor pledged to seek solution to the pressing needs of the department.
He also stressed the need to step up public information campaign in the business sector as well as in schools regarding fire drills and dangers of fire.
Tenorio’s proclamation promotes the importance of home escape plan in case of a fire and drills that need to be practiced regularly in effort to safeguard lives and properties.
“Developing and practicing a home escape plan at least twice a year is critical to safely escaping a real fire,” he said, noting smoke and poisonous fumes are the leading causes of death in fires.
The plan includes smoke alarms, knowledge on exits aside from the main door, and memorizing the emergency telephone numbers of the fire department.
But fire officers who attended the signing ceremony at the Governor’s Office also underscored the need to upgrade equipment and capability of the department to respond to emergency situation.
They said a truck that can carry 5,000 gallons of water is needed to immediately extinguish burning house or structure as well as additional fire hydrants.
According to Tenorio, his administration will try to identify funding sources to provide them the much-needed improvement.
“I hate to see the firetrucks just sitting there doing nothing,” he told reporters in an interview, adding if they need to buy spare parts, “I think we could find some money for that.”
He also expressed concern that the Puerto Rico dumpsite may trigger a big fire that could become a disaster for Saipan and affect the tourism industry.
“I’m still worried about the Puerto Rico dumpsite. Once that area starts burning, the community will be covered in fumes,” Tenorio told fire officials.
Meanwhile, the governor also signed another proclamation declaring October Arbor Month to promote tree-planting in the CNMI. This is the 10th year that the government has proclaimed the month to reiterate the value of trees and plants in the environment.
