by Shaine Mae R. Nagtalon
OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental (PIA)–The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Ozamiz City officially kicked off fire prevention month, March 1, with a special call for vigilance and preparedness from fire officials.
This year’s theme, “Sa Pag-iwas sa Sunog, Hindi Ka Nag-iisa,” highlights the importance of taking proactive steps to prevent the occurrence of fires and likewise emphasizes the role of communities in promoting fire safety and preparedness.
With the start of the Fire Prevention Month campaign, the BFP will keep reminding people to make sure that fires don’t happen.
“Sa observance sa fire prevention month daghan ta’g mga activities nga gihimo nato mainly nakasentro gyud ta sa community involvement at the same time, fire safety sa panimalay ug mag-encourage ta sa atong mga katawhan to do their share meaning fire safety must be taken seriously because that is everybody’s concern,” Ozamiz City Fire Marshal Erwin Peter Macamay said.
(In the observance of fire prevention month, we have many activities that we are doing; mainly, we focus on community involvement at the same time as fire safety at home, and we are going to encourage our people to do their share, meaning fire safety must be taken seriously because that is everybody’s concern)
Through the observance of Fire Prevention Month, the BFP hopes to reduce fire incidents by 8%.
“Every year, naningkamot ang BFP nga duna’y reduction of at least eight percent sa mga sunog, pero gilampasan nato na, nahimo na siyang 12 something percent nga pagka-reduce sa kalayo. In 2021, ang Ozamiz City Fire Station naka-record og nine fire incidents, and for the year 2022, nahimo na lang lima so makaingon ta nga effective gyud kay 50% man ang gi-reduce,” Ozamiz City Fire Marshal Erwin Peter Macamay said.
(Every year, the BFP tries to have a reduction of at least eight percent in fires, but we have surpassed that and it has become a 12 something percent reduction in fires. In 2021, the Ozamiz City Fire Station recorded nine fire incidents, and for the year 2022, there were only five, so we can say that it was really effective because it was reduced by 50%)
Macamay also explained that the rationale for the celebration being held in March was because of the high density of air coupling with the heat of the summer sun during the month, which he said can be a cause of some major fires during that month.
Macamay said that to prevent fires in homes, people should make sure that electrical appliances and connections are properly installed and maintained, that electrical appliances are unplugged when not in use, that gas stoves and LPG tanks are properly connected and maintained, that people don’t smoke inside, that lit candles and mosquito coils are never left unattended, that they have a good fire extinguisher, and that they store flammable items in the right way.
From March 1–31, 2023, to mark the 57th Fire Prevention Month, there will be a month-long campaign that started with a motorcade and included many different events. They will also hold the Oplan Ligtas sa Pamayanan, fire safety awareness, and dissemination of information, among others.
March is declared the official observation of “Fire Prevention Month” to provide awareness and education about preventing fire accidents. (SMRN/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)
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