SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) -- The Bureau of Fire Protection-San Jose Fire Station (BFP-SJSF) conducted an open house activity for students from various schools in the municipality to raise awareness on fire response.

An estimated number of 50 students from Occidental Mindoro State College (OMSC)-Labangan Campus, Philippine Central Island Colleges (PCIC), and CINI, participated in the activity through a series of discussion and demonstration spearheaded by the SJFS personnel.

Municipal Fire Marshal Rogelio Cabalse Jr. explained that one of the purposes of the open house is to inform the public on their office’s mandate and responsibilities.

“Usually, ang nakikita niyo na trabaho naming mga bumbero ay yung fire-fighting lang, pero ang hindi ninyo nakikita yung trabaho namin pagdating sa Emergency Medical Services (EMS) o pagbibigay namin ng first aid, paglelecture sa mga may-ari ng establishments at schools, nag-iinspect [din] kami ng [fire safety ng mga buildings],” Cabalse Jr. shared.

(Usually, what you only see in our work is the fire-fighting, what you do not see as part of our work is giving emergency medical services or providing first aid, giving lectures to building owners and schools and inspecting fire safety of buildings.)

The activity was divided into four parts of BFP’s main functions: the first booth featured fire education safety, where students learned the nature and causes of fire, and proper safety responses to fire. The second booth focused on emergency response where the students were taught how to properly administer CPR.

The fire-fighting booth showcases different safety gears for fire-fighting. Students were given an opportunity to use a fire truck and hose, and were taught how to use a fire extinguisher. Lastly, the special rescue force booth provided demonstrations on the use of various rescue equipment and different methods of rescue.

SFO1 Norly Santos highlighted the importance of the public’s fire awareness in fire-fighting. “Backbone of fire-fighting is education. Kung educated ang public, hindi lalala ang fire cases kasi alam nila ang gagawin para maiwasan ang sunog, at maaagapan ito,” Santos said.

(The backbone of fire-fighting is education. If the public is educated, fire cases will decrease as they know how to prevent fire and respond when it happens.) (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA)