Firefighters have declared a strike and are not responding to a forestry emergency in Tolima

Ortega Volunteer Fire Department (Tolima) announced on February 7 that they would go on strike, arguing that the municipal administration had not provided them with the necessary resources for emergency care. However, the situation has become even more complex because, for days, there has been a Forest fire there who did not intervene.

A fire broke out in a well-known bar in Bogotá

About 500 people celebrating in the early morning of February 13 had to be evacuated from the venue

According to the members of the relief organization, they were unable to carry out their work because their respective contracts were not renewed and they did not receive a budget to deal with risky situations, like the one that is currently occurring.

According to Germán Lopera, commander and spokesperson of the municipal volunteer fire brigade, despite the fact that the local authorities are aware of the situation and the consequences that the cessation of activities could cause, an agreement has not been reached.

“For the moment, no agreement has been signed with the municipal administration. We are waiting for them to decide, they have already told us that there is an agreement, but they have not called us to sign, nor to check the type of agreement or contract for the provision of services”, a- he said.

Lopera even warned that the vehicles of the brigade have expired the compulsory traffic accident insurance (CLOCK), they also do not have the necessary maintenance and others are without tires. Reasons why they cannot be mobilized to respond to the emergency, at least in complete safety.

“We have a fire at the top of Olaya Herrera and as is known we have no vehicles to attend to emergencies as they are uninsured. Since we started the shutdown, I haven’t spoken to anyone,” he added.

Finally, the volunteer firefighters of Ortega have warned that they remain firm in their strike, considering the fact that they would risk their lives in the normal development of their activities and, so far, they have not even had a insurance to cover them.

“In the event of situations related to the management of fire risks, as well as rescues in all their modalities and the handling of hazardous materials with which life, property or the environment can be compromised, the responsibility will lie solely and exclusively to the municipal administration,” concluded Germán Lopera.

GlobeLiveMedia Colombia tried to contact Omar Ivan Carrillo mayor of Ortega, to find out what progress has been made in hiring volunteer firefighters, but neither he nor his office responded to calls.

According to the municipal administration and its , the voluntary fire department of Ortega is financed with resources coming from a surcharge equivalent to 5% on the value of the taxes collected | Photo: Ortega Volunteer Fire Department

A member of the volunteer firefighters of Carmen de Apicalá (Tolima) has been in the intensive care unit of the Federico Lleras Acosta de Ibagué hospital for days after having had an accident while attending a forest fire in the rural area of ​​the mentioned municipality. . .

Fire in the south of Bogotá: three houses affected and one dead

The fire investigation group continues to work to determine the origin and cause of the emergency

It is Harold Hernán Duarte, 22, who was seriously injured when several fell on the side of a hill. Reason why he had to be rescued with the help of a helicopter.

“A 22-year-old patient suffering from polytrauma caused by a fall of about 30 meters while performing his activity as a forest firefighter, was admitted to the emergency department of the Federico Lleras Acosta Hospital, in primary transfer from the Municipality of Carmen de Apicalá. The hospital’s medical staff activated the protocols for these cases, carried out the necessary diagnostic tests to accurately identify the conditions of the traumas and define the behaviors,” said Luis Eduardo González, director of the Federico Lleras hospital.

For now, we know that Duarte’s evolution has been satisfactory thanks to the blood donations he has received from his colleagues.