In observance of Fire Prevention Month, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Bicol, along with other government agencies, officially launched a kick-off ceremony at Bicol University College of Engineering (BUCENG) Gymnasium, Legazpi City, on Tuesday, March 5.
With the theme “Sa pag-iwas sa sunog, hindi ka nag-iisa,” the event started with a unity walk from Peñaranda Park to BUCENG, attended by different government agencies, particularly the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Ronel Capardo, acting chief of the fire safety division, introduced the fire square roadshow as the highlight of the event, consisting of at least 13 stations with hands-on and lecture-based activities that aim to equip the participants’ knowledge regarding fire disasters.
“Ang essence nitong fire square roadshow is para ma-train ang mga participants natin especially ‘yong mga adults kasi sila ‘yong very vulnerable hindi lang sa fires kung ‘di sa lahat ng disasters kasi sila ‘yong hindi equipped ng skills and knowledge kung paano mag-survive,” Capardo explained.
Meanwhile, Capardo stressed the purpose of each station, emphasizing the knowledge that the participants expected to gain during the demonstration.
“Example sa fire-fighting techniques, kung equipped yung mga bata, naging first responder (sila) doon, kung equipped sila ng fire fighting techniques which is ino-offer dito sa ating booth, sila mismo yung mga first responder (at) maaapula na nila ang mga sunog at hindi na mag-spread to a much disastrous na scale,” Capardo added.
BFP Regional Director Ricardo Perdigon compared the number of fire incidents in the region from the previous years, noting a 47 percent decrease with 17 percent accumulated damages caused.
“Contrary ito sa nangyayari sa bilog na Pilipinas na ang (sunog) ay biglang (lumaki) lalo na sa parte ng North. As of kahapon, (tinawagan) ko ang regional director ng Cordillera, (tinanong) ko siya, kahapon meron na silang 83 forest fire. Sa atin, mayroon [lang] tayong naitalang grassfire sa Rapu-Rapu,’’ Perdigon stated.
He also reminded the public to be cautious and stay vigilant to the threat of fire incidents and noted the top three causes, including negligence in cooking, smoking, and electrical connections.
In line with the response of the BFP to fire disasters, Perdigon is confident in his people, assuring the public of their competency and capabilities in handling fire incidents.
“Mga professional sila, 25 percent of human resources (ay) mga nurses or medical-related courses so dae mo sinda matatawaran sa kapasidad ninda, mga trained sila sa training centers when it comes to fire response and rescue,” Perdigon claimed.| Alliah Jane Babila, Lyzha Mae Agnote