PUTTING UP A GOOD FIGHT: Firemen with new mission

She Capili

It was a different mission this time around for the Tutuban Fire Volunteers Association (T.F.V.A) in Binondo. Instead of being dispatched to terminate a fire, the 10-men strong team was called to aid Betty Go Belmonte Elementary School in Quezon City. Like hundreds of schools in the metro, Ondoy left the school in filth and mud. Firefighters like T.F.V.A were invited to volunteer as front liners of Linis Skwela, a project of E-Media Program and Sagip Kapamilya. The drive aims to help clean and bring normalcy to schools devastated by the flood.
The clean up started early with a group of firemen and other volunteers composed of students, janitors, parents and members of the community. Volunteers were divided to do specific tasks such as working on soiled chairs and wiping windows and grills. The firemen, on the other hand, will be hosing down classroom walls, floors and other areas where mud has hardened and became difficult to scrub.
“Pag tumagal kasi ang putik, tumitigas yan na parang semento, mahirap tanggalin. Dahil malakas ang pressure nung tubig na galing sa aming truck, siguradong bakbak ang putik,” a fireman declared.
Fire station chief Paul Garcia takes pride in his men, “Our group was created with the sole purpose of serving and protecting lives and properties with pride and honor. With this as our guiding principle, our association has no reason to turn down the opportunity and the privilege to join in this noble endeavor. As members of T.F.V.A., we are committed and obliged to perform our duties above and beyond our capabilities.” He further adds that “cleaning up the schools is a way of preventing fire. One of the common causes of fire is electricity and water is a good conductor of electric current.”
The day ended with the group exhausted yet happy. As they tidied up their boots and rolled their hose, the charming teachers came to cheer and said “thank you.” The men of fire relished the moment they are appreciated. It was enough to make them look forward to the next clean up session.