Firefighters and volunteers kicked off Fire Prevention Month Tuesday with a motorcade around Metro Manila to remind residents to take the needed precautions against fires. In Quezon City, members of the Bureau of Fire Protection and volunteer firefighters started their motorcade at the Quezon Memorial Circle, dzBB's Allan Gatus reported. The BFP and volunteer firefighters adopted as this year's theme "Kahandaan sa sunog tungo sa kaunlaran (Preparedness against fires is the key to progress)." The BFP noted at least 12 people were killed in a fire in Navotas City earlier this year, while 15 were killed in a pension house fire in Tuguegarao, Cagayan last year. A report on GMA News TV said the motorcade passed through East Avenue, Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, and the University of the Philippines' Bahay ng Alumni. During the motorcade, firefighters appealed to the public to inspect their electrical wires, which they said can be a cause of ovrheating and overloading. But they also lamented the lack of fire trucks to protect all areas of the country from fires.
Be more vigilant Earlier, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo - whose department supervises the BFP - called on the BFP to be
more vigilant in its fire prevention campaign. He said this will prevent unnecessary loss of lives and damage to properties. Also, he said the BFP should further intensify its information and education campaign to generate the active support and participation from the public. "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. Citing a report from the BFP’s Intelligence and Investigation Division, Robredo said that for January 2011 alone, 686 fire incidents occurred nationwide with a total of 68 casualties and damages of around P240 million. The same report noted that of the 686 fire incidents in January, majority or 512 were accidental fires, 17 were intentional, 150 are still under investigation, while seven are still undetermined. A series of activities has also been lined up during the month which include:
a refresher Training Course for Volunteer Fire and Disaster Control Brigades; drawing, essay writing, photo and poster making contest on fire prevention in different schools; and Barangay Fire Olympics on March 14 and BFP-NCR Fire Olympics on March 25. Fire safety inspection, hydrant testing, fire drills, caravans and Barangay Ugnayan shall also be held in the different regions of the country. The annual observance of fire prevention month is pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 115-A signed by then President Ferdinand Marcos in 1967. — RSJ, GMA News