By Brian Jules Campued
Lighted cigarettes, open flames due to cooking, and electrical ignition were the primary causes of fire incidents in the Philippines in the first quarter of 2024, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said on Friday.
During an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, BFP spokesperson Col. Annalee Atienza revealed that a total of 3,044 fire incidents have been reported from Jan. 1 to March 1.
The said figure was 25.6% higher compared to the 2,424 recorded in the same period in 2023.
Atienza noted that most of these incidents occurred in homes, thus, the BFP is focusing on a fire safety awareness campaign geared toward community empowerment.
“Masasabi po natin na [may] kakulangan pa rin [sa] consciousness ng community na kaya po emphasis ngayon ng agency ay i-empower natin yung awareness ng community sa barangay mismo,” she added.
As March is the Fire Prevention Month, the BFP said it continues to implement its flagship fire prevention program “Oplan Ligtas na Pamayanan” through the immersion of firefighters in communities to reduce fire hazards and conduct fire safety education.
Atienza also reiterated the integration of “EDITH” or the “emergency drills in the home” as she reminded the public to exercise caution in using electrical appliances during the summer season.
“Ang mga residents, mga magkakasama sa bahay ay mag usap-usap. Isama sa topic ang fire safety, iwasan ang octopus connection, ‘wag iiwanan yung niluluto, ‘wag na ‘wag na rin pong magsisiga sa bakuran,” the BFP spox pointed out.
The agency will also introduce its first aid service team in which the first responders would use motorcycles for faster response to fire incidents.
Meanwhile, she expressed optimism in the implementation of the BFP Modernization Act to augment the current need of additional fire trucks, fire stations, and personnel in the next 10 years.
“We’re looking forward na mapunuan yung kakulangan and madagdagan po ng makabago pang kagamitan including yung atin pong mga helicopter and chopper,” she said.
“Dahil ang BFP ay equipment-based, ang pagdagdag ng fire truck o kagamitan ay pagdagdag din po ng tao,” she continued.
According to Atienza, there were at least 123 municipalities nationwide which did not have fire trucks nor stations. These areas only have a fire prevention officer who is responsible for the implementation of fire code and the collection of fire code fees.
The fire code, however, only covered annual fire safety inspection of business establishments, schools, hospitals, and other industrial buildings.
Atienza also highlighted the role of local government units in ensuring the fire safety measures in infrastructures as 20% of the collection of fire code fees will also be allotted to the LGU’s fire safety development programs.
The BFP also called on the public to join the government in its goal to reduce the number of fires this year.
“Kailangan concerted efforts, bayanihan po talaga. ‘Di po kaya ng BFP lamang, cooperation po ng ating community na maitatak po sa bawat isip ng tao ang fire safety,” she stated. – avds