BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera office of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP-CAR) stated that it will initiate the organization of barangay fire brigades in the different parts of the region to help strengthen the firefighting capability and response of firefighters and volunteers during the occurrence of fire incidents that pose a serious threat to life and limb.
BFP-CAR regional director Senior Superintendent Ma. Sofia Mendoza admitted that part of the agency’s commitment this year is for the organization of some 58 barangay fire brigades in the different barangays of the region but it seems that the said number is not sufficient, thus, the agency wants to target more to be able to help in addressing the proliferation of fire incidents regionwide.
“We want to continue involving the volunteers in the different barangays in our region in the organization of barangay fire brigades to assist our fire personnel in the said areas in effectively and efficiently addressing the proliferation of fire incidents, especially during the summer months where there is a surge in the number of fires due to the occurrence of forest fires due to the dry weather condition,” Mendoza stressed.
She claimed that instead of only 58 barangay fire brigades, the agency wants to triple the said number of barangay fire brigades that will be organized so that more volunteers will be actively involved in combatting the proliferation of fire incidents in their areas of jurisdiction.
According to her, the BFP needs all the support from concerned government agencies, the local governments and the private sector as well as stakeholders in preventing the significant damages inflicted by fire incidents to life and limb that is why the agency continues to tap various sectors to play a key role in abating damaging fire incidents in the different parts of the region.
Aside from the organization of barangay fire brigades in the barangays, she stated that the BFP continues to provide its volunteers with the needed firefighting trainings for them to be updated on the latest firefighting techniques so that they will be able to contain the immediate spread of fires thereby posing a serious threat to life and limb.
Mendoza admitted BFP personnel assigned in the different established fire stations around the region are not sufficient to meet the ideal ratio of 14 fire personnel manning 1v fire truck that is why the services of volunteers from the different barangays is highly appreciated because they will be able to contribute in enhancing the capability of fire personnel to suppress the occurrence of fire incidents in their areas of jurisdiction.
She also commended the organization of private groups of firefighters by different private companies in the different parts of the region because they play a key role in contributing to efforts by concerned government agencies and the local governments in attending to calls for emergency by people who are affected by the occurrence of fire incidents in their places.
Mendoza pointed out the suppression of fire incidents around the region is not only the obligation of firefighters but also concerned citizens who happen to be in the area where the fires happen, thus, the need for cooperation among the public in abating fire incidents.
By Dexter A. See
