SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has acquired Pierce firetrucks to augment the firefighting capability of its Fire Department, becoming the first in the Philippines to own and operate this kind of custom-built fire engines.
The new acquisitions consisted of top-of-the-line Pierce pumper trucks that were bundled with various firefighting equipment, as well as self-contained breathing apparatus, HAZMAT suits, and repair kits for all types of gas leaks.
SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the procurement of new fire engines for the Fire Department indicated how serious the SBMA is in keeping people and investments safe in Subic.
“This is our legacy; this is something we need to do for Subic, especially now in these times of a pandemic,” Eisma stressed here on Friday during the blessing of the new equipment.
“We would like to showcase Subic as a safe haven for tourists, as a safe haven for investments, and now as a haven safe from fire,” she added.
SBMA Fire Chief Ranny Magno said the brand-new firetrucks were imported directly from Pierce Manufacturing, the Wisconsin, USA-based manufacturer of custom fire and rescue apparatus which is recognized as the largest producer of firefighting apparatus in the world.
Each truck has a capacity of 1,000 gallons (3,785 liters) of water and 60 gallons (227 liters) of foam, and runs with Cummins ISL9 engine at the top speed of 60 MPH (96 KPH).
To complement their pumping capability, each fire truck has Class A Type water pumps that can deliver “waterous” supply of water or foam from 100% rated capacity at 150 psi net pump pressure, to 50% of rated capacity at 250 psi net pump pressure.
The structural-industrial pumper trucks operate on digital technology and meet and comply with international standards set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Magno added.
The new fire engines arrived from the United States last Dec. 28.
Magno noted that to this day, only the SBMA Fire Department has this kind of custom-built structural/industrial firetruck in the country, a big boost to a firefighting unit that also assists in firefighting operations in communities around the Subic Bay Freeport.
“These would make our job easier and allow us to respond more efficiently and effectively 24/7,” Magno added.
