Makati goes futuristic with firefighting robots

Outgoing Makati Mayor Abby Binay announced Monday that the local government has acquired three Rosenbauer Smart Firefighting Robots, a move she says will further enhance the city’s modern emergency response capabilities.

Binay said that the robots offer an alternative for fire suppression and rescue efforts, particularly in high-risk incidents involving hazardous materials, by reducing the danger to human responders.

“The smart firefighting robots will help our response teams handle complex and dangerous situations more effectively through advanced features that can compensate for human limitations,” Binay said.

She cited that each robot is designed to withstand extreme heat, poor visibility and hazardous environments. They are also equipped with an acoustic warning device to alert nearby personnel during operations.

With a maximum payload capacity of 600 kilograms, the robots can serve as mobile platforms to drag injured responders or trapped civilians to safety, minimizing the need for additional personnel in hazardous zones.

Binay added the robots feature remote-controlled mobility, operated via dual joysticks, allowing for rapid deployment in scenarios such as commercial fires, confined space rescues and other complex emergencies.

Their turrets can discharge between 1,500 to 3,500 liters of water per minute at 10 bar pressure, with a vertical reach of up to 80 feet.

“We recognize that being a smart city isn’t just about going digital — it’s about using technology to keep people safe and save lives when emergencies happen,” Binay said.

Under Binay’s administration, Makati has continuously modernized its disaster equipment, procuring mobile command and emergency response vehicles and gear.

These include four mobile command vehicles, one advanced mobile emergency communication vehicle, one aerial fire ladder truck, one super tanker, two chemical fire trucks, two rescue trucks, two Urban Search and Rescue trailers, 10 rescue boats, two mobile kitchens, 13 basic life support ambulances, three motorcycles and two mobile clinics.

In 2022, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) named Makati the first Resilience Hub in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. The UNDRR defines resilience hubs as cities or local authorities committed to addressing disaster and climate risks.

Makati has integrated disaster risk reduction into its policies and programs since joining the Making Cities Resilient Campaign in 2010.