Lesser fire incidents in 2006 than in 2005 says BFP 6
A big drop of fire incidents in Western Visayas was observed by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP VI) in 2006 compared to the year 2005 record.
Senior Inspector Lester Kenneth Gimotea of the BFP VI said that in 2006 there were only 806 reported fire incidents against the 1,351 fire incidents of year 2005. He explained that the drop in the number of fire incidents could be attributed to the public's good response to the government's disaster preparedness program especially on fire prevention.
"The amount of damage to properties in year 2006 was likewise lesser compared to the 2005 figure," Gimotea said during the PIA-CATV program.
Gimotea said that a total of some P139 million damage to properties in 2006 was reported while losses in year 2005 was recorded at about P200 million.
He noted though that while there's a drop in fire losses to properties, there was a slight increase in the casualties in 2006, recorded at 13 as against eight casualties of year 2005.
He encourages the public to make fire prevention a way of life and further urges the public to remember the following measures in case of fire: do not panic but act quickly; when your frying pan burst into flame, cove the flame with any metal cover at hand to shut off the oxygen from the air, do not pour water because it may spread the fire or even scald you; if the fire starts in any electrical wire or device inside the house, cut off the current first wherever possible at the switch or the plug; if the fire is beyond control, warn the family, and go to the nearest and safest exist, don?t attempt anymore to salvage your belongings, you might get trapped, your life is more precious than your things no matter how valuable they are; call for help immediately, phone the fire department and be sure to give the exact address; if you managed to save some of your belongings do not place them where it may block the firemen?s passageway; do not jump from the upper-storey windows except as a last resort-many people have jump to their death even while the firemen were bringing ladders to rescue them; take no chances of entering building to save property, only saving lives justifies taking a personal risk, leave the job of firefighting to firemen; when injured or burned, immediately ask the assistance of Emergency Medical Service Unit/Volunteers nearby, don?t forget to seek medical treatment afterwards.
(PIA/T.Villavert)