In light of the recent conflict between volunteer fire fighters (that includes volunteer search/rescue and EMS), nag-verbalize daw si Mayor Binay na bawal na ang volunteer units and manpower sa Makati City. Brigade fire chiefs are still waiting for an official statement but the Mayor's office has been quiet about it. Neither confirming or denying that such statement has been made.

So for the meantime, volunteer units are not responding to calls within the Makati area. There have been a number of small fires recently. The latest being in Victoria Tower? All volunteer units have remained on 10-12 (standby) instead of responding.

Makati police are also said to have become less lenient on private vehicles and motorcycles bearing logos/stickers or any signs of affinity to volunteer groups and are being flagged down for a lot of minor violations (some of which don't really seem like violations at all). These include the use of clear plate covers, 'swerving', etc. Seatbelt and helmet use are also being more strictly enforced (at least that's better).

Our advice to Makati Residents, start storing up your own water for fire fighting. Let's see the BFP tackle anything above 4th alarm on their own. It will probably end up in a general alarm with all the residents having to live in evacuation centers afterwards.

Again, it is not the intention of your local volunteer fire brigades to be of disservice. Everyone is just being more careful.