By Leilanie Adriano/PNA
LAOAG CITY — The simultaneous blowing of horns dominated this city’s major thoroughfares on Friday as the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), along with other government and non-government entities, joined a motorcade to drumbeat awareness on fire safety and prevention.
With this year’s theme “Ligtas na Pilipinas Ating Kamtin, Bawat Pamilya ay Sanayin, Kaalaman sa Sunog ay Palawakin,” the BFP, in cooperation with local government units, rolled out series of lectures and hands-on trainings while reiterating to the public about the dangers of destructive fire and ways how to prevent its occurrence.
In addition to fire safety and prevention lectures, the BFP personnel also conducted seminars on earthquake safety. Fire and earthquake drills were also held.
To help them in fire safety and prevention, BFP officers also conducted refresher courses with the barangay volunteer fire brigade.
To build deeper bond with the community, firefighters have opened their fire stations to several students, allowing them to try their hands on the BFP equipment. They were also taught the proper use of fire hoses and how to extinguish fires.
“We hope that through these activities, we will be able to strengthen the people’s preparedness on the hazards of fire by conducting a pre-fire planning session in select areas,” Laoag City Fire Marshal Roxanne Parado said on Friday.
Fire personnel are also scheduled to conduct house-to-house fire safety information and education campaign where they will lecture residents about safety measures at home, escape plan, exit drill, and how to use the fire extinguisher.
The Fire Prevention Month is observed by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 115-A, s. 1966 issued by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
March was chosen since the country’s summer season is statistically the month with the most fire incidences. Around 9,000 fire incidents are reported in the whole country each March.
Meanwhile, the Schools Division of Ilocos Norte led by Superintendent Vilma Eda issued a memorandum to all elementary and secondary school heads in Ilocos Norte to conduct fire safety inspection and corrective actions.
Eda said they should give priority consideration to proper housekeeping and regular checking of electrical wiring and appliances, ensure availability and functionality of fire safety equipment, fire alarm activation procedure, and public address system.
Concerned school employees were also advised to attend fire safety education and training in coordination with the BFP in their respective localities.
Eda likewise has reminded the school heads to implement the kiddie and junior fire marshal in coordination with the local government unit.
