Presidential Communications Office
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has expressed its support to respond to emergency cases that may arise during the observance of this year’s Undas, deploying approximately 1,000 of its personnel in 66 cemeteries in Metro Manila.
With the annual influx of people visiting cemeteries to pay their respects to their departed loved ones, BFP-NCR assistant regional director Senior Supt. Rodrigo Reyes said that the agency has recognized the need for an emergency response system in place.
“Kami po’y nagpapatupad po ng tinatawag po nating FAST – ito po iyong First Aid Service Team po ‘no wherein 66 locations po within Metro Manila po ang naka-deploy po sa atin ngayon for medical assistance po,” he said.
“Mayroon po tayong mga EMS po sa bawat sementeryo ngayon na, in case may nahilo o may na-high blood, mayroon po tayong agad na personnel po sa 66 identified cemeteries po,” he continued.
Reyes assured that their medical teams are equipped with the necessary background and training to respond to medical needs.
“Mga registered nurse po sila so talagang dumaan po sila sa mga training po like iyong mga EMT, paramedics, so highly trained po talaga ang ating mga nakasakay po sa ambulance po natin,” he said.
Aside from capacitating its personnel to be the first responders during emergencies, the BFP also continues to conduct regular year-round safety awareness programs which include information dissemination in communities and social media platforms, according to Reyes.
“Mayroon po kaming ‘Oplan Ligtas na Pamayanan,’ iyong mga ‘Firetruck on the Road’ po… talagang umiikot po kami, nagbabahay-bahay po kami ngayon; aside po sa school, sa mga matataong lugar po, sa palengke namimigay po kami ng flyers,” he said.
The Oplan Ligtas Pamayanan is an information dissemination effort of the BFP seeking the public’s participation in minimizing the number of fire incidents in the country.
Reyes further advised families who would opt to light candles within their homes during Undas to place it in a secured area outside, instead of leaving them lit indoors at the altar, for example, to avoid fire incidents.
“Ang aming pagpapaalala po sa ating mga kababayan na kung maglalagay po ng kandila sa panahon ng Undas, better po na sa labas na lang po ng bahay na nakalagay po sa stainless na lalagyan na may kasamang tubig na po,” he said. | PND
