THE CITY Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) prepositioned emergency vehicles, including ambulances, to strengthen the emergency response system while saving fuel costs in answer to the global oil crisis.
In an interview with city-run disaster radio, CDRRMO chief Alfredo Baloran said they anticipate reducing fuel consumption while maintaining prompt response to emergencies.
Baloran said emergency units are now being stationed in strategic locations across the city, such as in Ulas and Bajada, to ensure faster response times.
“Instead of returning to base after every operation, responders are instructed to proceed to designated standby points nearest their area of operation,” Baloran said.
As part of the fuel-saving methods, CDRRMO is coordinating closely with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to streamline and maximize the use of resources in times of fire emergencies.
Baloran cited common issues encountered during fire responses, including but not limited to false alarms and incidents where fires have already been extinguished upon arrival.
“This results in unnecessary deployment of personnel and equipment, so we are coordinating with the BFP,” he said.
The office is also addressing technical glitches that affect the 911 emergency hotlines, noting that some 911 calls are being rerouted to other areas, such as the National Capital Region and Cebu, due to system errors.
To resolve this, the CDRRMO is working with IT engineers and telecommunications companies to identify and fix the problem.
Baloran warned the public against prank calls, especially during these times when the city government is saving fuel to prioritize legitimate emergencies.
The CDRRMO handles an average of 4,000 calls daily, but only about half are considered legitimate emergencies, wasting critical resources and delaying response to real emergencies.
Baloran added that the city is pushing for an ordinance to centralize emergency assistance systems, ensuring that all calls are properly routed and responded to within Davao, including the handling of prank calls.
“We advise the callers who experience misrouted emergency calls to report the incident to 911, so the number can be listed and relayed to telecom providers for immediate action,” he said.
