ASIDE FROM saving lives and property, firefighters in Metro Manila have also prevented four suicide attempts through the Bureau of Fire Protection's (BFP) “Kalingang Bumbero” hotline.
The hotline which stands for “Kaibigan sa Linyang Gagabayan ng Bumbero” was launched in May in cooperation with the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) to help address the rise in suicide cases in the country.
"Ang difference namin sa NCMH is habang kinakausap ka namin, may responder team ng naka-activate. 'Yung mga personnel namin pupuntahan ka (Our difference from the NCMH is that while we are talking to you, we have already activated a responder team. Our personnel would visit you) just in case,” BFP-National Capital Region director Fire Chief Supt. Nahum Tarroza said at the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum on Tuesday.
“Meron na po kaming nailigtas na apat (We have already saved four individuals) who were about to commit suicide. Naagapan namin at napuntahan (We were able to come to them and prevented them from doing it)," Tarroza said.
The hotline is manned by firefighters who are Psychology graduates or registered psychometricians who provide counseling.
He said the calls from those who suffer from depression or do not have anybody to talk to peak from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Tarroza pointed out that being the frequent first responders and rescuers, firefighters should be taught the do’s and don’ts in dealing with suicidal persons.
Under the memorandum of agreement, the NCMH is mandated to provide a comprehensive range of quality mental health services to expand its capacity for research and development of interventions in mental, neurological and psychological services.
The BFP is tasked to save lives and properties and must effectively implement programs, projects, and services that will promote public safety. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)
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