MANILA, Philippines - As the observance of fire prevention month begins, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported that 89 of the 177 fire trucks in Metro Manila are useless and unserviceable.
Chief Superintendent Santiago Laguna, director of the BFP-National Capital Region (NCR), said only 88 fire trucks are serviceable in the entire metropolis of almost 12 million residents.
“Ideally, we need one fire truck for every 28,000 residents or about 428 fire trucks, but since we only have 88 fire trucks, we are trying to maximize it,” Laguna told The STAR.
He said the BFP-NCR will tap barangay officials to help firemen in educating the community to prevent fire incidents.
Laguna also noted that they have started coordinating with fire volunteer organizations for effective approach in containing fire incidents.
Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo will lead the kick-off ceremony for the start of the observance of Fire Prevention Month today with this year’s theme “Kahandaan sa sunog… Tungo sa kaunlaran.”
Laguna said the most common causes of fire incidents include faulty electrical wiring, poor ventilation of LPG tank and unattended lighted candles and cigarettes.
“Let us avoid jumper and octopus connections, which are likely to spark and cause flames during sudden surge of electricity,” he said.
Laguna said LPG tanks should have proper ventilation to prevent accumulation of gas, which could easily ignite even by a spark from an electric switch.
Robredo called on the public to be more vigilant as the observance of fire prevention month starts tomorrow.
He directed the BFP to intensify information dissemination on fire prevention to prevent unnecessary loss of lives and damage to properties similar to the tragedy in the Tuguegarao City fire incident in December last year and in Barangay San Roque in Navotas early this year.
“While the fire bureau, with its minimal resources and equipment, is doing its best to prevent the occurrence of conflagrations, the public should do its share by ensuring that their homes are free from fire hazards and reporting violations on the Fire Code Law,” he said.
Robredo said the BFP should further intensify its information and education campaign to generate active support of and participation from the public in the government’s fire safety and prevention efforts.