Davao Volunteer Fire Brigade, Inc.

The Davao Volunteer Fire Brigade, Inc. is a non-governmental and non-profit organization staffed by volunteers. They lend assistance following floods and fires by rescuing victims, putting out fires using their own equipment and donating goods to the people affected by disasters. The organization is dedicated to preventing and suppressing fires, determining their causes, enforcing the Fire Code and other relevant regulations, and responding to crisis situations and natural disasters.

The Davao Volunteer Fire Brigade (DVFB) was founded in 1981 by a group of businessmen with the goal of helping the metro fire department fight fires. The years 1982-1989 were a struggle, and then membership really took off. The organization sponsors various projects like free clinics, water distribution, donating fire hydrants to the city, and volunteer blood donations at the nearby Red Cross blood bank. Additionally, the DVFB offers a free ambulance service 24 hours a day to any medical facility in the city as part of its medical assistance program.

 

 

Although the DVFB started with just one fire engine – a delivery truck that was converted into a fire truck – the manpower it can call on speaks volumes about the effectiveness of this volunteer firefighting organization. When it comes to serving the community, these volunteer firefighters are available around-the-clock. Their services range from routine firefighting operations to basic aid for the public by ferrying the sick to and from medical facilities. From modest beginnings, the DVFB was able to construct a brigade base outfitted with radio facilities, in addition to pumper truck units 4, 2, and 5, as well as an ambulance rescue service. The organization also offers traffic control support services during major events.

DVFB has inspired several sister organizations, namely the Digos Volunteer Fire Brigade, the Cotabato Fire Brigade, the Tagum (REACT) Volunteer Fire Brigade, and the Toril Volunteer Firefighter Foundation (TORVO) to name but a few. All units are similar in terms of training, methodology, and organizational structure, with the shared conviction of serving the community. In 2002 the DVFB marked its 20th anniversary by welcoming incoming president Mr. William Tan, along with his officers and board of directors as the new management team. In the years since, the organization has expanded both in terms of locations and equipment. All of the fire engines are reconditioned used models that were either donated to or purchased by the DVFB. In 2006 the Federation of Chinese Volunteers helped purchase three additional fire trucks from Taiwan. Covering the regions of Bunawan and Lasang, the DVFB currently has Unit 8 tankers complete with crew ready to combat fires.

 

Mr. Alfredo Berino, a member of the DVFB since 2018, explained that his colleagues have access to sophisticated firefighting and rescue equipment, and that they inspect and maintain equipment between uses. Currently they promote fire safety through presentations, training sessions and practice drills, as well as working with police and ambulance service personnel. We were fortunate enough to interview Dr. Gersacio C. Magno, Jr., a Unit Commander and part of the Training Administration at the DVFB.

 

Interview

Interviewees
Dr. Gersacio C. Magno, Jr., DMD – Officer/Team Leader/Unit Commander, Davao Volunteer Fire Brigade

Q: What role do you think the organization plays in the local community?

Dr. Magno: We contribute to the community by providing our services at fires without any compensation from the government. We bring our own equipment, vehicles, protective gear and communications. Our services are focused on firefighting but we also conduct rescue during relief operations after typhoons, and we rescue people from our community during times of disaster like floods, etc. Our volunteers come from all walks of life – some are professionals, janitors and drivers. Save lives, save properties – that’s our motto.

Q: What is the most important thing to be aware of when volunteering at DVFB?

Dr. Magno: The most important thing a person should know or understand is that volunteers must be committed to serve, so there has to be dedication at the heart of their decision. As an officer of this organization, we screen our volunteers to ensure they have the commitment to serve. We want to avoid people who join up just to use the name of the organization to further their own needs, but when called upon they refuse to serve. Volunteers must be committed to serve without expecting something in return.

Q: How can the organization play a larger role in the community in the future?

Dr. Magno: We can help Filipinos prepare better for a disaster. If the community is prepared and equipped, we minimize the risk of injuries and fatalities. We can protect ourselves and our community. We are planning on giving disaster preparedness lectures in Barangays, schools, as well as in hospitals and hotels. We have already held seminars at the Palau royal resort on how to be prepared for earthquakes, floods, mass casualty disasters and even terrorist events such as a bombing. We will provide a training and lecturing team for any facility in our district. This is very helpful in our community as we provide our services free of charge. All we need in terms of payment is for someone to say “thank you”.

Q: What is your main job/role in the organization?

Dr. Magno: I oversee the Training Administration for the Davao Volunteer Fire Brigade. At the same time I’m the Unit Commander for two units: the ambulance and one of our new fire truck teams, and I am also a fire truck and ambulance driver.

 

Interview with Doctor Gesacio Magno on July 29, 2020 (left of Dr. Magno is Ms. Eishi Iannah Mutia)

 

Q: What are some of your duties or activities in the organization?

Dr. Magno: Usually I go to the base or inspect my own units. For new trainees we hold meetings at the base once a week. I always review the daily reports from the other team leaders to ensure things are in order. Once a week we clean our unit fire truck and ambulance. We also have to check our PPE (personal protective equipment), oxygen and medicines. On a monthly basis, we conduct drills and run training sessions for our volunteers. Senior officers support the younger volunteers during the training drills.

Q: What do you find most rewarding about your involvement in DVFB?

Dr. Magno: Seeing the smiles of the people despite their house being under flood water or damaged by a typhoon. We serve for the gratitude of the people and seeing them smile. It doesn’t matter to us if we have been awake 24 hours, we just want to help.

 

Reflections

Community engagement – such as volunteering – has the power to change a community. Being a volunteer is never easy because you need to accept that you cannot help everyone, but at the same time you need to be strong enough to help others. We were really touched by the fact that even when the firefighters got injured when responding to a fire or flood, they continue doing what they love because they know the victims need them.

One does not need to be wealthy to volunteer, because all one needs is dedication, skills and strength. No amount of money will equate to a simple “thank you” from the people you have helped.

 

References

Philippines. Philippines Business Directory – BusinessList.ph. (n.d.). Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.businesslist.ph/company/108530/davao-volunteer-fire-brigade-inc-maa-substation?amp=1&fbclid=IwAR0kmJmUteVbKXBUfS05hiCncULQAXInb6AD42ZSbtFMLjI6dYBcpuRKNuM

Philippines. Philippines Business Directory – BusinessList.ph. (n.d.). Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.businesslist.ph/company/108530/davao-volunteer-fire-brigade-inc-maa-substation?amp=1&fbclid=IwAR0kmJmUteVbKXBUfS05hiCncULQAXInb6AD42ZSbtFMLjI6dYBcpuRKNuM

Davao Volunteer Fire Brigade Inc,: Graceslist Davao Region / soccsksargen. Emergency Services Directory – GracesList Davao and Soccsksargen, Philippines. (2016, October 22). Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://davao.graceslist.org/directory/listing/davao-volunteer-fire-brigade-inc?fbclid=IwAR02ekmf2nEz0QJblzc3XMx_Be3VBnFUQf3WM7BRCg5JY2lsbG7xpMZwH5g

Davao Volunteer Fire Brigade Inc,: Graceslist Davao Region / soccsksargen. Emergency Services Directory – GracesList Davao and Soccsksargen, Philippines. (2016, October 22). Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://davao.graceslist.org/directory/listing/davao-volunteer-fire-brigade-inc?fbclid=IwAR02ekmf2nEz0QJblzc3XMx_Be3VBnFUQf3WM7BRCg5JY2lsbG7xpMZwH5g

Researchers

Good day, everyone! My name is Eishi Iannah Andreille C. Mutia and I am 20 years of age. You can call me Eish. I am a third year college student and I am studying for my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). I am currently residing in Davao City together with my family. I am the eldest daughter and I have a sibling. I chose nursing because I want to work in different hospital departments and also serve the community.

 

Hi everyone, my name is Mariane Bea D. Bauzon and you can call me Bea. I am the youngest in our family of five. I am 21 and currently studying towards my Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science at San Pedro College. I live in Midsayap, Cotabato. I am very grateful to be a part of the Young Global Research Project (YGRP) as it is an opportunity to discover inspiring stories in our community and to share these stories with a wide audience.