Without firefighters to call in case of an emergency

PANAMA. Panamanians might head into Carnival without volunteer firefighters waiting to act in case of a major fire.

Volunteer firefighters, who often risk their lives for the greater good, are protesting, not for money, but to send the message across that without proper equipment they cannot work.

They are willing to put themselves in dangerous situations, but not without boots that have soles on them.

Meanwhile, the more than a million people that live in Panama City are at the disposition of the little more than 400 permanent firefighters that similarly pray, for a big emergency not to loom near, as they know that faced with a complicated situation, they would have no way to stop a fire.

“The population is currently sitting on a powder barrel. God is Panamanian and I hope that it continues being the case,” prayed Captain Ruben Madid, spokesman for the group.

Madrid said that they have lacked adequate equipment for 10 years, arguing that the government could have solved the issue a long time ago if it so pleased.

There are only 430 permanent firefighters in Panama City, grouped in 3 different shifts, denoting the importance of the group of volunteers, who additionally make up the specialized groups (for example, the two rescue groups).