HISTORY OF DAGUPAN TONDO VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE
The Dagupan Tondo Volunteer Fire Brigade was established in 1989 by Mario "IBON" Dela Cruz, who made the commitment during his campaign for running as a Chairman of Barangay 51, Zone 4 in Dagupan St., Tondo, Manila. In spite of Mario's defeat in the election, his determination and continued dedication to improving the community is evident throug
h his formation of the volunteer fire brigade. Initially, Mario served as the Fire Chief, and his cousin Roberto Lim Dela Cruz assisted him in managing the organization. They received financial support from Southern Saw Mill, Incorporated, a timber processing-based enterprise owned by Dela Cruz Family located at 1331 Dagupan St Tondo, Manila. The brigade refurbished a decommissioned Ford FMC 700 fire apparatus engine with a capacity of 750 gallons, known as the "Dagupan Engine," which was obtained from the former PC-INP (Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police) Office of Fire Protection Service. Following his demise, Robert took over as the Fire Chief and with the appointment of Jose (Peping) Sanchez Jr. as the Deputy Fire Chief, they restructured the leadership by establishing a board of directors. Starting with fifteen volunteer firefighters and one fire truck, the brigade steadily grew to comprise over thirty volunteer firefighters and medical responders. In 1995, the Dagupan-Tondo Volunteer Fire Brigade acquired a notable Isuzu V10 tanker lorry, renowned for its impressive water capacity of 5,750 gallons (20,000 liters), making it the largest among its counterparts. This exceptional vehicle was officially designated as the "Dagupan Tanker," signifying its association with the brigade. However, as time progressed, the rising maintenance expenses became a significant challenge for the brigade to sustain. Consequently, a decision was made to sell the tanker to a local government unit, aiming to alleviate the financial strain incurred by the brigade. Additionally, due to the scarcity of essential parts required for its operational functionality, the engine had to be decommissioned, regretfully ending its service. The philanthropic spirit of Wilfredo Ramirez's family, who are the proprietors of MGC Rice, brought about a series of notable contributions to the brigade. Firstly, they generously donated an Isuzu Giga stainless tanker lorry, boasting a remarkable capacity of 2500 gallons (10,000 liters), which proved to be an invaluable asset. This significant contribution was received with gratitude and promptly put into service on February 18, 2007, following a special blessing ceremony. Building upon this legacy, in 2016, the proprietor of MGC Rice once again extended their support to the brigade. This time, their contribution took the form of a specialized fire apparatus known as the "Diamond Pumper." Distinguished by its compact design and an impressive capacity of 80 gallons (300 liters), this fire unit was specifically designed to navigate efficiently through the narrow streets within the Tondo area. Furthermore, in December 2022, Mr. Johnny Gaw Yu, the esteemed president of JGYU Enterprise and the District Governor of Rotary International District 3780, made an exceptional contribution by donating a 200 gallons (800-liter) fire engine, aptly named the "Dagupan Engine." This generous gesture significantly enhanced the firefighting capabilities of the brigade, further reinforcing their commitment to serving the community. Apart from responding to fires and other emergencies in Metro Manila around the clock, the brigade engaged in fire prevention, safety, and awareness campaigns within communities. They also provided water distribution to households during water service interruptions and actively participated in clean-up and beautification campaigns by facilitating water flushing operations on sidewalks and streets. Every year, at the specific request of the City Government of Manila, the brigade dutifully offers free emergency medical services to the devotees attending the Feast of the Black Nazarene. Throughout the years, the Dagupan Tondo Volunteer Fire Brigade, Incorporated has consistently upheld its esteemed reputation as a highly active and dedicated volunteer fire prevention unit within the metropolitan area. Their unwavering commitment to fire safety and prevention has solidified their status as a highly active and respected organization within the community.
