The country observes a new Fire Prevention Month this March. The observance began when then President Ferdinand Marcos issued Presidential Proclamation 115-A, series of 1966. Statistically, it is the month with the most fire incidences.

A researcher who seeks to find out why this is so would be surprised to learn that currently, the statistics on fire incidences are gathered by the use of the VIIRS – or Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument that collects visible and infrared imagery and global observations of land, atmosphere, cryosphere and oceans.

Hence, the data gathered through this method pertain mostly to forest fires, and not just to fires that burn residential houses or commercial establishments.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has primary responsibility for ensuring the safety of lives and property from fires. It issues occupancy permits to businesses as proof that such establishments are compliant with basic safety standards.

In Metro Manila and other urban centers in the country, the BFP’s services have been augmented by the emergence of fire volunteer brigades that have been organized by civic organizations.

According to latest data, there are 813 fire brigades with a total of 4,525 volunteer firefighters in the entire National Capital Region. These are divided into 578 fire brigades with 10,034 volunteer firefighters and 235 barangay fire brigades with 644 volunteer firefighters.

These community-based, volunteer-manned fire brigades also help out in providing relief and assistance in the aftermath of natural calamities such as typhoons, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes.

The BFP has declared that it is its mission to promote volunteer fire brigades nationwide as these community-based units are decidedly critical in creating awareness on basic fire safety and prevention principles.

In General Santos City, for instance, the local BFP director said, “We will go to our communities and conduct house-to-house visits to make our households aware about fire prevention and possible hazards in line with the prevailing El Niño phenomenon.”

The local fire brigades also assist the police in maintaining order during major public events such as pre-pandemic All Saints Day observance during which the cemeteries and memorial parks would be visited by large crowds of people.

What is remarkable is that these brigades also tap the support of business and industry in acquiring their own resources such as firefighting equipment and ambulances for use in health emergency assistance. Hence, they have become force multipliers and partners of the government.

Indeed, they are exemplars of civic spirit that deserve recognition and continuing public support.

This year’s observance of Fire Prevention Month also coincides with the apparent return to normal activities as the level of coronavirus infections has gone down significantly. With factories, shopping malls, retail establishments and business offices resuming operations that had been shut or slowed down during the pandemic, the risk of fires could also increase. Hence, heightened vigilance in minimizing risks should be observed.