By Erma Edera
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) launched its massive awareness campaign for the month-long Fire Prevention Month 2019 during its kickoff ceremony at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Friday.
There’s a lot of fun in teaching children even the most serious lessons such as the life-saving skill of putting out a fire as seen here when Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel of San Fernando City, La Union put together a fire drill for nursery pupils of the Department of Education (DepEd) in observance of Fire Prevention Month last Tuesday. (Erwin G. Beleo / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
BFP said they will be implementing “Oplan Ligtas Pamayanan” for the whole month of March.
It will start through the Conduct of the Planning Workshop of the Community Fire Prevention Plan (CFPP) and Community Fire Auxiliary Groups (CFAG) for targeted barangays.
A fire safety campaign will also be held during church masses, flag ceremonies, and other public gatherings nationwide.
Fire Director Leonard Bañago, chief of BFP, also placed all fire units under “heightened alert status” starting from Feb. 26 to April 5.
Resembling a civic military parade, dubbed as “Nagkakaisang Pwersa: Parada para sa lisang Brigada”, the kick off ceremony was participated in by BFP personnel, fire volunteers, government officials, students and professionals.
The activity aims to showcase the strength and capabilities of the BFP in disaster response.
A five minute blowing of horns of all firefighting apparatus was also done simultaneously in the different fire stations nationwide at exactly 12 noon on Friday to signal the start of the Fire Prevention Month.
Meanwhile, BFP will also host a series of activities for the annual observance of Fire Prevention Month.
The BFP will conduct essay writing, poster making and photo contests for all regions in order to sustain efforts in disseminating fire safety information and awareness campaigns in the community.
The deadline of submission for the national art contest is on March 5, 2019 at the BFP National Headquarters.
Aside from the said activities, a three-day open house for all fire stations will also be held nationwide. The fire stations will be open to the public especially to elementary and secondary school students.
The schedule for private/public elementary schools will be on March 6, junior high schools on March 7 and senior high schools on March 8.
On March 31, all fire stations nationwide will conduct a simultaneous fire drill.
The theme of this year’s fire prevention month is “Ligtas na Pilipinas ating Kamtin, Bawat Pamilya ay Sanayin, Kaalaman sa Sunog Ay Palawakin.”