BFP calls for zero fire incident

GLAN, Sarangani (March 6, 2015) – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Glan is forging partnership with the academe, civic and business sectors in its year-round advocacy of zero-fire incident in time with the observance of fire prevention month.

S/INSP Leilani Bangelis said the campaign to contain fire incidences should not only limit within this March.

Glan, where Bangelis is municipal fire marshal, is composed of 31 barangays majority of which are in remote and upland areas.

With the bureau’s manpower ratio of one firefighter is to 7,000 population, she lamented that her office lags behind with a 1:9,000 actual ratio.

However “getting the involvement of the community” and empowering them in saving life and property is more important, she said.

In her management starting in 2014, a number of trained barangay fire brigades have already been organized. Bangelis targets to complete the organization in each of the barangays this year.

“More focused ako ngayon in organizing barangay fire brigades kasi sa area natin hirap maka-penetrate ang firetrucks,” Bangelis said. With these groups emergency responses would be easier.

Glan firefighters are regularly conducting “pre-fire planning with the barangay officials… in case may sunog na mangyayari, alam nila kung ano ang dapat gawin,” she said.

They also conduct “house-to house information campaign during the regular municipyo sa barangay kung saan inilalapit namin ‘yung serbisyo namin doon sa barangay.” This aptly addresses this year’s theme “Kaligtasan Sa Sunog: Alamin, Gawin at Isabuhay Natin,” which focuses on residential fires as according to her statistics show that most fires happen at residences.

“I would like to professionalize the services of BFP at ipakita sa kanila na ang firefighters are not only for fire suppression but more on fire prevention,” Bangiles added.

Meanwhile, BFP Glan will also hold activities like art contest, information campaign, open house, and firefighters’ visibility as among the activities this March. The month-long celebration here kicked-off with a “unity walk” at 5:00am on March 1 followed by a zumba, motorcade and feeding program for children. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Beverly C. Paoyon)