24 returning Negrense fire fighters undergo swab test for COVID-19

One of the 24 returning Negrense fire fighters undergo RT-PCR test at a quarantine facility in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of BFP-Negros Occidental)

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Twenty-four fire fighters who are currently under quarantine at St. Andrew’s Park Place in Barangay Tinampa-an, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental underwent real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The RT-PCR test was conducted by Provincial Health Office personnel last Tuesday.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Negros Occidental, the group was composed of eight female and 16 male fire fighters who just graduated from their Fire Basic Recruit Course (FBRC) at the National Fire Training Institute (NFTI) in Calamba City, Laguna.

The firemen arrived in the province on May 31 via sea and were housed at the quarantine facility for 14 days.

This was made possible through the coordination of Superintendent Pamela Rojane Candido, provincial fire marshal, with the members of the Provincial Incident Management Team (PIMT), through the approval of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.

These 24 returning firefighters will be added to the strength of the existing firemen in the province in giving response to the COVID-19 pandemic.