by Vincent Philip Bautista
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–In celebration of this year’s Fire Prevention Month, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-10 held its one day Fire Prevention Mall Show and Exhibit to raise awareness on the importance of fire prevention and mitigation among households and establishments at Ayala Centrio Mall, March 14.
With the theme, “Sa Pag-iwas sa Sunog, Hindi Ka Nag-iisa,” various firefighting apparatus were showcased, and educational booths were set up by the BFP-10 to engage the public on proper fire-prevention measures and response in addition to its updated mandates.
“This is an open house to everyone in the region; this is to show and inform them that a firefighter does not only cater to firefighting. Ang gusto nato i-inculcate sa ato audience karon (what we want to instill in our audience today) is to correct the wrong the notion na ang firefighter sa mga sunog lang (That firefighters only fight fires). We also respond to emergency medical services and calls, conduct rescue operations, investigations, and more,” BFP-10 Chief Information Officer Noli Dela Rita shared.
In addition to the exhibit, the BFP-10 also held art contests on fire prevention for students and a Zumba session in support of Women’s Month.
Strengthening firefighting capabilities
Dela Rita said that they have worked with local government units (LGUs) in Northern Mindanao to set up more fire stations. This is part of their plan to improve firefighting capabilities and resources in the area.He said that the BFP-10 will allocate P10 million for the construction of a fire station if the LGU can provide a “clean” lot of not less than 500 square meters for its establishment.
“Daghan na ta natukod na firestations dinhi sa Region-10; ang last namo giadtuan is ang Tudela, Misamis Occidental. Give us a strategic location and we will give you a standard fire station; wala pud undang ang ato paningkamot sa pag-procure og new fire trucks,” he said.
(We have built many fire stations here in Region 10; so far, the last one we went to was Tudela, Misamis Occidental. Give us a strategic location, and we will give you a standard fire station, our efforts to procure new firetrucks are still continuous)
Since March 1st, when Fire Prevention Month began, there have been 42 fires all over the region. The BFP-10 has been keeping track of these fires and hopes to stop them by educating the public about fire safety through its information campaigns and partnerships with public and private stakeholders. (VPSB/PIA-10)
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