Local Firefighters Express Concerns

***************************** Story by Vicente Guzmán. Translation by Word for Word providing translations and language classes to this community (6786-0854). ***************************** As Coronado grows, the local fire station is struggling to provide effective service to the community.  "We do not have enough fire trucks,” states Sergeant Ocaña. “That one belongs to Chame and this one belongs to Capira.  Our ambulance is damaged so when there is a traffic accident, we have to borrow an ambulance from San Carlos or Capira!”  Ocaña went on to explain that the emergency team is trained for all types of emergencies, but the station lacks proper equipment.

The Coronado fire station, a substation of the Chame station, has been providing its service since 1994. The property was donated by Mr. Roberto Eisenmann and previously belonged to the Red Cross.  Together with the Chame and San Carlos stations, the Coronado station attends car accidents, medical emergencies including births, African bee incidents, and fires, especially grassland fires.

Both, Sergeant Ocaña and the Captain Madiedo, are concerned about the rapid growth in Coronado due to the arrival of new residents and all the new development.  They feel that they care currently not equipped to control a big fire in one of the high –rise buildings. "The fire truck that we have only holds 650 gallons and would not be sufficient for a large fire,” Ocaña said.  “My main worry is the welfare of all people that live in Coronado, Panamanians and foreigners.  So far we have not received any contribution from the residents of Coronado Beach in order to provide a better service to the community.”  Perhaps it is time for the community to take a serious look at this issue!

To contact firefighters can call 103 or directly to the Coronado sub-station to 240-4629.