BORONGAN CITY (PIA) — The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Eastern Samar has strengthened its fire prevention drive by equipping elected officials in various barangays with the skills to prevent fire incidents and suppression through year-long training and workshop activities.
During the radio program of PIA Eastern Samar, “Huruhimangraw ha Este,” FO2 Ariel Mengote, the chief provincial community relations section officer, said the training is conducted in various barangays in the province to form the Community Fire Auxiliary Group (CFAG). This group will comprise community volunteers who will be the first responders during fire-related emergencies in their respective communities.
“Hira it amon focal persons kun magkakamayda sunog ha ira barangay, hira it una nga magreresponde before pa umabot an fire truck, responsibility dama nira an pagtawag ha station kun mayda sunog ha ira,” Mengote said.
(They are our focal persons in the barangays. They will be the first ones to respond before the fire trucks. It is also their responsibility to notify the station should there be a fire incident in their community.)
FO2 Ariel Mengote and FO1 Silverio Norte shared fire safety tips and activities of BFP Eastern Samar during "Huruhimangraw ha Este," the radio program of PIA Eastern Samar, hosted by Vee Tolentino-Gumban. (Photo courtesy of BFP Eastern Samar)
FO1 Silverio Norte, the public information officer, said that considering the distance of a fire call, CFAGs can be a great help as first responders, as they are within the premises and are equipped with skills and proper training.
“They will act as a quick-response team,” Norte added.
More than firefighting
Norte highlighted that a fire officer's responsibilities include fire suppression, fire prevention, enforcement of fire code, and response and rescue during calamities.
He also stated that the bureau plays a significant role in national revenue through its fire code collection.
In Eastern Samar alone, the fire code fee collection has amounted to P6,453,670.87, covering 9,831 inspected buildings or establishments.
The bureau also supports the ELCAC efforts in the province by giving fire safety and first aid lectures during the Serbisyo Caravans. This is a provincial government activity in which various agencies provide services to Eastern Samar's remote barangays.
FO2 Mengote said 20 out of 23 municipalities in Eastern Samar have activated fire stations and fire trucks.
He also reported four fire incidents recorded in Eastern Samar from January 1 to February 29, 2022.
A fire officer demonstrated to community volunteers in San Policarpo the proper response in case an LPG fire breaks out. (Photo courtesy of BFP San Policarpo)
Mengote also reminded everyone to be aware of the contact numbers of their respective fire stations so they could report a fire incident immediately.
“Kun magka-mayda man sunog himu-a naton nga diretso nagawas ha balay, kun mayda man naton nahingalimtan nga importante ha aton, ayaw na baliki, mas importante la gihap it kinabuhi hit tawo,” the fire officer reminded the public.
(Leave your house immediately once a fire incident breaks out. Do not go back, even if you left something important inside. Your life is more important than anything.)
“Huruhimangraw ha Este” is a weekly radio program of PIA Eastern Samar. It is aired on Radyo Pilipinas Borongan every Friday from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. and streamed live via Radyo Pilipinas Borongan and PIA Eastern Samar’s Facebook page. (VTG, PIA Eastern Samar)
Fire officers from Guiuan Fire Station educated learners about fire safety awareness during BFP's Project BBM or Bumberong Batang Mag-aaral Project. (Photo courtesy of BFP Guiuan)
