Manila Fire District
The Manila Fire District (Filipino: Distritong Pamatay Sunog ng Lungsod ng Maynila) also known as the Manila Fire Department and Fire District 1 is an agency of the Department Of Interior and Local Government (DILG) specifically under the Bureau of Fire Protection National Capital Region responsible for implementing national policies related to Firefighting and Protection as well as implementation of the Philippine Fire Code (PD 1185), which was repealed and replaced by the New Fire Code of the Philippines (RA 9514). Formerly known as the Constabulary Western Fire District, the MFD is in charge of the administration and management of city fire and emergency services in City of Manila.
History
The very first professonial firefighting service in Manila was organized by their American Colonizers. But before that happened, it was every citizen and community member's responsibility to help out suppress fires within their barrio or town.
During the Spanish Era, Fire alarms are raised by church BElls, signalling the residents and citizens to come and help suppress the fire or help save lives and properties. The number of strokes by which the bell tolls informs the citizens were the fire is ongoing or happening and where they need to provide assistance. The very first responders during such incidents are the street sweepers, who had the responsibility of pulling antiquated fire carts, along with other equipment to the site of the conflagration.
Captain Luis Yangco, owner of the Yangco Shipping Company, imported in 1890 the very first motor powered fire engine in the Philippines. It was operated by employees of Captain Yangco and responded to fires within their area. The hoses did not fit the existing fire hydrants at that time, so water had to be drawn from the river or water canal (estero).
AbOUT the same time, European immigrants began organizing Fire Brigades whose initial members comprised members of their own families and households. First documented headquarters of an actual fire brigade was located at the current Juan Luna St (formerly known as Anloague) in Binondo, Manila. These brigades had their own protective equipment and identified by their brightly colored uniforms.
In 1902, upon the arrival of the Americans, the Fire Brigades of Manila restructured to formed disciplined firefighting units and with this, the creation of the Manila Fire Department. The very first Fire Chief of the Manila Fire Department was an American named Hugh Bonner. Chief Bonner's firemen were composed of former servicemen of the US Military stationed in the Philippines and few handful of their Filipino staff. They were the first professional firemen of Manila, and most likely the entire Philippines. They used horse drawn fire engines which allowed them to quickly respond to incidents.
Towards the 1930s, Governor General Harrison, ordered the promotion of several Filipino Firefighters to key officer positions, thus relieving most of their American counterparts of essential key positions within the fire organization.
World War II came and the Manila Fire Department played a key role in preventing the further conflagration of the City of Manila during the most bloodiest battles of the Philippine Campaign.
The tradition of professional firefighting lives on within the Manila Fire District, as well as the volunteer's courage of the Spanish Fire Brigades with the modern day fire volunteers.
Lineage of Fire Chiefs
The following were the Fire Chiefs of the Manila Fire Department, Western Fire District, and Manila Fire District. List is only partially complete as information is not readily available.
- Capt. F. R. Dodge
- Capt. J. W. Hoey
- Chief Hugh Bonner (1839, Ireland - 1908, New York), 1902 ‒ 1906 or 1907
- Capt. Lewis S. Dingman, 1906 or 1907 ‒ 1919
- Capt. Otis L. Vanderford, 1919 ‒ 1935
- Capt. Jacinto Lorenzo, 1935 ‒ 1944
- Capt. Cipriano Cruz, 1944 ‒ 1956
- Capt. Eulogio Samio, 1956 ‒ 1966
- Capt. Jesus G. Cruz, 1966
- Capt. Domingo B. Reyes, 1966 ‒ 1967
- Chief Federico E. Garcia, 1967 ‒
- Brig. Gen. Federico E. Garcia, 1976 ‒ 1980
- Brig. Gen. Domingo B. Reyes, 1980 ‒ 1985
- Col. Rodolfo S. Villavicencio, 1985 ‒ 1987
- Maj. Gen. Mario C. Tanchanco, 1987 ‒ 1992
- Chief Superintendent Alfonso T. Clemente, 1992
- Senior Inspector Antonio Lopena, 1992 – 1993
- Superintendent Antonio G. Ballesteros, 1993 – 1994
- Superintendent Eutemio E. Buenaventura, 1994 – 1998
- Chief Inspector Ricardo D. Lemence, 1998 – 1999
- Superintendent Jacinto C. Diquiatco, 1999 -
Mission
The mission of the Bureau of Fire Protection:
- To prevent and suppress destruction caused by fires.
- Implement the provisions of RA 9514.
- Provide emergency medical and rescue services to the general public.
Organization
- San Nicolas Fire Station
- Tanduay Fire Station
- Paco Fire Sub-station
- Intramuros Fire Sub-station
- Pandacan Fire Sub-station
- Tondo Fire Sub-station
- San Lazaro Fire Sub-station
- Sta. Mesa Fire Sub-station
- Gagalanging Fire Sub-station
- Sta. Ana Fire Sub-station
- Arroceros Fire Sub-station
- Sampaloc Fire Sub-station
- Malacañang Fire Sub-station
- Bacood Fire Sub-station
See also
- City of Manila
- Department of Interior and Local Government
- Bureau of Fire Protection
- Bureau of Fire Protection National Capital Region
- Quezon City Fire District
- Fire District II
- Fire District III
- Fire District IV
- Manila Police District
References
- Citations
- Bibliography