Banna BFP marks Fire Prevention Month

By Michael T. Esmino

Managing Editor

BANNA, ILOCOS Norte—The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in this municipality marked the 50^th Fire Prevention Month with focus on fire safety and prevention.

With the theme “Kaalaman at pagtutulungan ng sambayanan, kaligtasan sa sunog ay makakamtan”, the Banna BFP conducted fire safety and prevention lectures in 17 schools here.

The lectures, done in coordination with the Banna municipal government, were led by Banna municipal fire marshal SFO2 Marlou D. Colobong.

In addition to fire safety and prevention lectures, the BFP personnel here also conducted seminars on earthquake safety. Fire and earthquake drills were also held.

To help them in fire safety and prevention, BFP officers here also conducted refresher courses got the barangay volunteer fire brigade.

To build deeper bond with the community, the Banna fire fighters also opened their fire station to several Banna National High School students. The activity held March 10, allowed the said students to try on BFP equipment. They were also taught the proper use of fire hoses and how to extinguish fires.

Meanwhile, a Banna high school student won in the regional Fire Prevention Month poster-making contest. Joanne Garvez of Banna Academy placed third in the regional tilt.

The BFP here is hopeful it has strengthened the barangay’s preparedness on the hazards of fire by conducting a pre-fire planning session in select areas. A house-to-house Fire Safety information and education campaign where fire personnel will lecture about safety measures at home, teach residents about their fire escape plan, Exit Drill in the Home (EDITH), and how to use the fire extinguisher was also done.

As per Banna BFP records, there were 10 fire incidents in 2015. Most of those are grassfires.

Mr. Colobong thanked Banna Mayor Carlito A. Abadilla II for his “all-out support to the fire station.” He said all of the BFP’s requests have been granted by the mayor. This includes the purchase of their fire truck’s siren and beacon lights which broke down last year.

The Fire Prevention Month was created by Presidential Proclamation No. 115-A, s. 1966 by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos. March was chosen since the country’s summer season is statistically the month with the most fire incidences. Around 9,000 fire incidences are reported in the whole country each March.