BFP intensifies campaign vs fire incidents this March

MANILA, Philippines - With the start of fire prevention month today, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) would intensify the campaign to promote public awareness to prevent fire incidents.

Chief Superintendent Santiago Laguna, BFP National Capital Region director, urged the public to observe all safety measures and avoid fire incidents, particularly during the hot summer months.

“We hope to make everyday fire prevention day through the active involvement of the community. Awareness will avert if not minimize these calamities which will contribute a lot to the strengthening of our economy,” Laguna added.

So far, the BFP-NCR recorded 488 fire incidents from January to February this year, lower than the 574 cases recorded during the same period last year.

The BFP reported 3,424 incidents nationwide in 2012, also lower than the 3,658 cases in 2011.

Authorities said for the month of March 2012, there were 314 incidents of fire, which is lower than the 381 incidents in the same month in 2011.

BFP-NCR spokesman Chief Inspector Renato Marcial said the bureau would launch today their month-long program in connection with Fire Prevention Month with its theme “Sunog at Sakuna Paghandaan, Kalikasan ay Pangalagaan nang Matamasa ang Pag-unlad ng Bayan.”

The BFP activities will start at 4:30 a.m. today at the BFP national headquarters in Quezon City, then proceed to Agham Road for the unity walk with representatives from various government agencies.

The group will walk towards Quezon Memorial Circle where a short program will be held. Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II is expected to attend the event.

The BFP provided tips to the public to prevent fire incidents.

Marcial said if the tips will be observed, fire incidents would be minimized and lives and property will be saved.

Among the tips are the following:

• Unplug appliances after every use;

• Switch off the electric stove or gas range before going to bed;

• Don’t overload electrical circuits with too many appliances, also called octopus connection;

• Inspect electrical wires, which could be the cause of overheating and overloading;

• Do not keep flammable materials like gasoline and paint inside the house.

In case of fire and other emergency, Marcial said the public should call the hotline 117 or BFP-NCR emergency hotlines 723-1642 or 729-5166.

“We have a different kind of strategy to catch the public’s attention to help us in our fire safety advocacy. Newly recruited BFP personnel will have a hose drill exhibition wherein firefighters will perform the cha-cha,” said Marcial.