MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Fire Protection will deploy 24,106 BFP personnel nationwide for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, placing fire stations on heightened alert from Oct. 28 to Nov. 3 and linking emergency operations to Unified Hotline 911.
The BFP will enforce code blue or heightened alert from Oct. 28 to 29, followed by code red or full alert from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3.
The deployment includes 16,301 fire suppression personnel, 3,109 emergency medical services personnel, 1,187 special rescue force members and 3,373 fire safety inspectors.
Authorities will also position 2,245 firetrucks, 371 ambulances and 260 motorcycles near cemeteries, transport terminals and major thoroughfares.
The BFP expects large crowds at cemeteries, monstrous traffic jams and increased fire risks from unattended homes during the Undas break.
Inspection teams will check compliance with fire safety rules at transport terminals, ports and cemeteries.
BFP officer-in-charge Chief Superintendent Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan Tiu urged the public to observe fire safety precautions, such as avoiding electrical overloading, keeping candles away from combustible materials and refraining from burning dried leaves and trash in cemeteries.
Families leaving their homes unattended were told to switch off the main circuit breaker.
The public may contact the nearest fire station or call 911 in case of emergency.