LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Ilocos Norte has reported a substantial decline in fire incidents for the third quarter of 2024.
FSupt. Roxanne Parado, provincial fire marshal of BFP-Ilocos Norte, said the decrease is the result of the intensified fire prevention activities implemented by the municipal and city fire stations across the province.
“Some of these activities include Oplan Ligtas na Pamayanan, an information drive and fire hazard mapping in various barangays; fire safety inspection activities in local establishments; and fire safety simulation exercises,” she said during the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) joint meeting on September 26.
Ilocos Norte recorded only four fire incidents with damages worth P2,747,799 for the third quarter.
Of this number, three are structural fires, while one is a vehicular fire caused by an open flame from cooking, electrical ignition, children playing with matchsticks, and overheated appliances.
“This quarter took a 69.23 percent decrease compared to the number of incidents in the same quarter last year, which is 13 with P10,825,250 damages,” Parado said.
This quarter, no forest fires were reported.
Parado credits this to the continued patrolling efforts of the province’s inter-agency team in forested areas to avoid fires.
This inter-agency approach taps the assistance of the 4th Marine Brigade, Philippine Army, Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office, and local disaster risk management and reduction units of the province to help patrol and respond to wildfires.
For 2024, BFP Ilocos Norte recorded 83 fire incidents during the first quarter and 49 cases in the second quarter.
Meanwhile, Parado also reported that BFP Ilocos Norte has a total force of 398 actively in service personnel.
She added that BFP Ilocos Norte currently has a total of 47 fire trucks servicing the 21 municipalities, two cities, and the provincial office. (AMB/EJFG, PIA Ilocos Norte)
