BAGUIO CITY – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) celebrated the 43rd Fire Service Recognition Day honouring fire fighters who risked their lives to save others in the Cordillera region.
BFP Deputy Chief for Operations Fire Chief Superintendent Leonides Perez assisted by BFP-Cordillera Regional Director, Fire Senior Supt. Maria Sofia Mendoza awarded Medalya ng Papuri to real life heroes who have selflessly rendered various services to the public.
The fire fighters were recognized for their heroism and dedication to duty, to save lives and properties not only during fire but also in other incidents.
Among the incidents the fire fighters did include response to shooting incidents in Baguio City, rescuing of trapped persons from confined space in Baguio City, and responding to vehicular traffic accidents in Atok Benguet, Lamut, Ifugao and Tabuk City Kalinga.
Fire fighters in Apayao were recognized for their immediate actions like evacuating of families during the recent flash flood incident particularly in Santa Marcela and Luna.
In Bontoc, Mountain Province, a baby was delivered by fire fighters inside a dormitory.
Fire personnel also responded to a drowning incident in Pidigan, Abra and conducted search, rescue and retrieval operations in Pinukpuk, Kalinga and Bontoc, Mountain Province.
Perez gave a snappy salute and congratulated the fire fighters for their bravery and gallantry in performing extra ordinary tasks needed from them.
The awardees he said who have shown heroism amidst danger should be emulated and must serve as an inspiration to all civil servants. He called on the men and women of the BFP to continue to provide selfless dedication and commitment to save lives and properties.
Perez stressed that the celebration also aims to recognize the sacrifices of their fellow fire fighters who died while performing their duties on field.
“As we celebrate the recognition day, we post to look back at 43 years of hard work, sacrifices, accomplishments, triumphs, heroism done by our fellow fire fighters wherein they died during actual fire operations,” Perez said.
“This will serve as an inspiration to work hard, and do heroism to save lives and properties. This past 43 years, the agency has lost precious lives in the ranks of the fire fighters in the field but our men and women have saved many more lives through the years,” he added.
The annual recognition event started as homage to the firefighters who lost their lives in Rockwell Power Plant fire incident in Bel-Air, Makati City on December 14, 1973 led by then Lt. Jose Fabicon, Fireman Domingo Viray and Fireman Fructuso Planas.
Since then, every December the BFP commemorates the heroism of the three fallen firefighters and gives recognition to its personnel who in one way or the other have given more than what they have for the service of the public./JDP/RMC- PIA CAR#
