Huila's governor, Rodrigo Villalba, handed over six water tankers to fire departments in six municipalities to bolster risk management. The $4.356 million purchase addresses the 2023 public calamity declaration. The vehicles will enhance responses to emergencies like fires and water supply needs.
In a ceremony attended by mayors and rescue organization representatives, Governor Rodrigo Villalba Mosquera officially delivered six tanker vehicles to the fire departments of Campoalegre, La Plata, Neiva, Rivera, Garzón, and Pitalito. The $4.356 million investment was funded by the Departmental Risk Management Fund and municipal contributions, responding to Departmental Decree 357 of 2023 declaring a public calamity.
Each tanker features a 3,300-gallon stainless steel tank with baffles for stability, rubber separators to absorb vibrations, and high-performance HALE pumps, complying with NFPA 1901 standards. The project, started in 2023, faced technical issues requiring contractor adjustments, legal and technical reviews, and certification by a national firm.
Governor Villalba acknowledged the hurdles: “No fue un camino fácil, pero decidimos no rendirnos. Realizamos reuniones, mesas de análisis, revisiones jurídicas y técnicas. Y lo más importante: involucramos a quienes más saben de emergencias, nuestros bomberos” (It was not an easy path, but we decided not to give up. We held meetings, analysis tables, legal and technical reviews. And most importantly: we involved those who know emergencies best, our firefighters). Pitalito's Captain Gilberto Rojas Sánchez expressed thanks: “En nombre de todos los comandantes de bomberos del Huila, agradecemos la decisión política de sacar adelante este proyecto que, a pesar de los tropiezos, hoy es un sueño cumplido” (On behalf of all Huila fire commanders, we thank the political decision to push this project forward, which, despite setbacks, is now a fulfilled dream).
Mayors emphasized the benefits. La Plata's Camilo Ospina noted it will strengthen emergency response and previewed a new risk management office. Garzón delegate Yineth Quintero praised the upgrade from obsolete equipment. Government Secretary Juan Carlos Casallas stated: “Lo importante es que el tiempo ha valido la pena” (The important thing is that the time was worth it), with no budget additions to the near $4.300 million contract. He announced upcoming drones for emergency monitoring.
The vehicles will aid in forest and structural fires, potable water supply, and rescues in hard-to-reach areas, supporting vulnerable communities.