LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – The province Ilocos Norte will host the regional kickoff of the Fire Prevention Month on March 1.
 
Chief Inspector Claire Simbol, officer-in-charge of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Ilocos Norte, said they will kick off the month-long observance with interactive activities, a seminar on fire prevention, and conduct information dissemination drives to inform Ilokanos on how to prevent and extinguish fires.
 
This year’s theme is “Sa Pag-iwas ng Sunog, Hindi ka Nag-iisa,” which Simbol said is a good reminder that fire safety is not the sole concern of the BFP but it is a shared responsibility with the people.

“Ang observance na ito ay naglalayong magbigay ng reminder at awareness sa mga tao na maging cautious at responsible sa kanilang mga bahay, mga place of work, at mga eskwelahan pagdating sa fire safety. Kaya naman we encourage them na makisali sa mga fire drills, mga trainings o seminars tungkol sa fire protection,” the fire chief explained during the Danggay iti Panagdur-as radio program of PIA Ilocos Norte.
 
Simbol also encouraged parents to bring their children to attend the free interactive booths that will showcase the different capabilities of the BFP to get a first-hand experience of the duties of firefighters.
 
The booths will open at the activity area of the Robinsons Place Ilocos in San Nicolas town and it will be a free admission for children.

Moreover, BFP will also lead a seminar on fire safety in the same venue which will be opened for all interested mall goers.
 
For the rest of the month of March, Simbol said that all municipal and city BFP offices in the province will increase information dissemination drives, fire safety drills, and seminars in their respective towns.
 
By virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 115-A, the month of March was declared as Fire Prevention Month because of the alarming increase of fire incidents happening across the country during this particular period.
 
The BFP, as the government agency mandated to prevent and suppress all kinds of destructive fires, investigate its causes, enforce fire-related laws and provide emergency medical and rescue services, shall anchor all the activities for the Fire Prevention Month towards fire safety at home by introducing innovative programs and activities leading towards motivating the public to take fire safety as everyone’s concern. (JCR/AMB/EJFG, PIA Ilocos Norte)