IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay (PIA) – During the recent Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas episode in Zamboanga City, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), along with its attached agencies, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), presented their programs and accomplishments.
Among these, BFP highlighted its different roles beyond firefighting, including disaster response, emergency medical services, search and rescue operations, and public education on disaster preparedness.
One of their key initiatives is the fire square roadshow, which promotes safety awareness among various sectors of society, including schools, government offices, and private institutions.
Assistant Regional Director for Administration FSSUPT Clint Cha, DSC, emphasized the importance of the initiative in enhancing public awareness and preparedness for fire emergencies
“The purpose of the fire square roadshow is to educate more constituents or the people on how to face and respond to emergencies and how to make themselves safe as well as their families during fire,” Cha said.
Recently, the bureau conducted the roadshow in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, targeting persons with disabilities (PWDs) as part of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week celebration, underscoring BFP’s commitment to inclusivity and safety for all community members.
BFP personnel delivered fire safety lectures tailored to the needs of PWDs. Attendees learned fire prevention measures, emergency response protocols and fire safety awareness in their daily lives.
The importance of this roadshow was underscored by recent fire incidents in Siay and Ipil, where two PWDs were among the casualties, highlighting the urgent need for targeted fire safety education and preparedness for vulnerable groups.
FSSUPT Clint Cha reminded the public to promptly notify the nearest fire station about any fire incidents rather than taking live videos of the situation.
“I want to remind the public to delay taking live videos but to prioritize informing or calling the nearest fire stations for any fire emergencies. In any emergencies, time is really of the essence,” Cha added. (EDT/RBI/PIA9-Zamboanga Sibugay)
