In observance of Fire Prevention Month, the Bureau of Fire Protection Bicol Office Region V (BFPO-5) held a kick-off program and launched the Fire Square Road Show at SM Legazpi today, March 2.
Present in the event were BFP Regional Director C/Supt Ricardo Perdigon, Department of Interior and Local Government Bicol Regional Director Atty. Arnaldo Escobar Jr., Office of Civil Defense Bicol Regional Director Claudio Yucot and C/Supt Gilbert Dolot, Director for Intelligence and Investigation of BFP National Headquarters, as the guest speaker.
In his brief speech, C/Supt Dolot emphasized the need for cooperation in terms of fire safety and prevention.
“Lahat tayo ay may gampanin na maging ligtas laban sa sunog,” he said.
Similarly, in a message by FDir. Louie Puracan, Chief of BFP, as relayed by Dolot calls for everyone to collaborate with each other to achieve a fire-safe nation.
“We have been working hard, but we need to work harder and together…Let us work hand in hand for a fire safe nation for all,” Dolot read.
The BFP started the program through a fun walk and fun bike dubbed as “Lakaw Kabikolan: Rally for a Fire-Safe Bicol” at 6:30 in the morning today. The fun walk began from Peñaranda Park, Old Albay District to SM Legazpi while the fun bike started from BFP Legazpi Station en route to the same location.
On fire incidents
Meanwhile, Dolot said in his speech that there has been a surge of fire incidents since 2019 in the country.
Dolot also stated that a total of 13,000 fire incidents are recorded every year in the country. 80% of these incidents are caused by electrical reasons such as overloading and octopus wiring.
“These 80% of 33,000 fire incidents translate into P4.7 billion damage,” he said.
Despite that, Dolot also said that for the last 2 years, the statistics recorded a 5% decrease in fire incidents.
“Significant na sa amin ‘to kahit hindi malaki ang percentage,” he added.
BFP launches Fire Square Road Show
In line with the celebration of Fire Prevention Month, the BFPO-5 also launches the Fire Square Road Show, a project that aims to educate people about fire safety through active participation and interaction.
“It was called Fire Square Road Show because “fire square” means a room with four (4) scales (sides) which the activities will be performed into and “road show” which means (us) the BFP going out to go to schools or invite them to participate on this project. Basically, Fire Square Road Show is a caravan about fire safety and resiliency,” explained S/Supt. Jose Carlos Jr., the BFPO-5 Regional Chief of Staff.
Moreover, SFO Edgar Tañajura, Jr., PIO of BFPO-5, said that the activity will showcase the capabilities and skills of common firefighters to the 250 invited elementary and high school student-participants from different schools in Legazpi.
Through the fire ladder, a board game similar to that of snake and ladder that BFP came up with, BFP hopes that the participating students will recall what they have practiced during their rounds in 16 stations that encapsulate the life skills that common firefighters have. They hope they can use it in case an emergency arises.
“Napaka-importante talaga malaman yung safety ng bawat… lalo na sa fire kasi, as a practitioner of…safety, talagang kailangan kasi hindi lang dapat mga matatanda yung may alam kung ano ang mga gagawin kung magka-sunog or any safety health reasons kaya mas magandang malaman ng mga bata talaga,” said Engr. Jonathan Earl Culanag, SHS teacher from Legazpi Science High School.”
Meanwhile, Tañajura encourages everyone to always be aware about fire safety.
“Lagi lang tayong maging aware or always think fire safety and isapuso po natin ang paalala ng BFP kasi hindi lang naman BFP ang gumagawa nito kundi it’s a collaborative effort with the community. So we (should) always think fire safety kasi buhay at ari-arian ang nakasalalay dito,” he said in an interview with Bicol.PH.
Tomorrow, March 3, the Fire Square Road Show program will still continue on the same venue. | Arvie Bediones and God Frey Las Piñas
