Public urged to take precautionary measures vs. fire incidents

By Jeehan V. Fernandez

The public is being urged to take precautionary measures to prevent the occurrence of fires these summer season.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) dubbed the month of March as fire prevention month. The hot period makes combustible materials to dry up, thus could catch fire easily.

BFP-6 public information officer Insp. Arnold Alba stressed the observance aims to preempt the occurrence of fire. He cited the agency did not lack the information dissemination as they regularly conduct “tracking” in the communities.  

Although Alba pointed out that the fire bureau's delivery of services largely depend on the agency's equipment, the determination of their personnel is an assurance. He noted that professionalizing the BFP include having staff that are fit and suitable to the position.

Alba also cited the BFP make inspections, particularly on business structures from time to time. The BFP-6 data revealed that establishments inspected were more than 10 percent in 2004 with a total of 68,364 as compared to the previous record of 61,826.

These establishments are mercantile (banks), assembly (malls and churches), industrial, business, educational, institutional (hospitals), mixed occupancy, storage, residential and miscellaneous.

Further, there was a slight decrease in the number of establishment recommended for correction but none was pushed for closure. Other fire prevention activities were also improving.

The BFP-6 had recorded increases in their various scheme such as number of building plans evaluated (10.46 percent), fire safety inspection certificates issued (19.72 percent), business permits processed (16.37 percent), lectures and seminars held (58.90 percent), fire drills conducted (123.44 percent), volunteer fire brigades trained (384.62 percent) and fire volunteers trained (510.73 percent).