BAGUIO CITY – The Bureau of Fire Protection disclosed during the flag raising ceremony last Monday at the Baguio city hall grounds that there is a decrease of 5.56% and 14% in structural and non-structural fires, respectively, from 2014 to 2015.
FO2 Blessie Marconi stressed that this is attributed to the intensified fire prevention activities of the concerted efforts of the Baguio City Fire Station and the City Local Government Unit of Baguio. However, there was an increase of 95.53% in the amount of damaged based on submitted affidavit of loss. This is because of the increased number of residential structures and business establishment in 2015.
Also, fire investigation reveals that lighted matchstick/lighter causes the highest number of fires. Electrical connection, lighted cigarette butt, unattended cooking and flammable liquid are among those that caused fires last year.
On the other hand, there is an increase of 112.90% cases of accidental fires caused by lighted matchstick/lighter. Thus, their office needs to intensify the fire prevention campaigns as well as information dissemination to younger clients especially in elementary and middle and junior high school, and also sustain campaigns among the 128 barangay in the city.
The BFP responded to 38 rescue operations and 24 vehicular accidents last year.
“Among the provisions of RA 9514 (an act establishing a comprehensive fire code of the Philippines, repealing presidential decree no. 1185 and for other purposes) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations is the conduct of trainings and drills on large business establishments and on educational occupancies for at least twice annually, thus an increase of 186.84% on conducted drills and trainings for 2015. Moreover, with the financial support of the CLGU of Baguio thru the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC), resulted to the increased number of drills and trainings to schools and barangays,” said Marconi.
The city observes fire prevention month with the theme “Kaalaman at Pagtutulungan ng Sambayanan, Kaligtasan sa Sunog ay Makakamtan”./Jho Arranz
