BONTOC, Mountain Province(PIA)--The Bureau of Fire Protection(BFP)-Mountain Province recommends  strengthening   emergency situation trainings to  all employees and personnel assigned in  the  province  to enhance their emergency preparedness and response skills.  

Deputy Provincial Fire Marshal FINSP Cesar Badang Jr discussed  this during the  recent 3rd Quarter Provincial Peace and Oder Council(PPOC) meeting in efforts  to  help address the  increase  of fire incidents and the steady  number of emergency responses in the province for  the  quarter.

Badang reported that  the province recorded  six structural and non-structural fire incidents  during the  third quarter  compared to  the three cases  during the same period last year. Most incidents were due to unattended cooking.

Sagada  recorded  two  structural fires while Bauko and Besao  had one case each.  Bontoc recorded  one  structural and  one non-structural fire for the period.

For emergencies, the BFP responded to 20 incidents mostly involving motorcycle and vehicular accidents. Besao  listed  eight  cases  and two each for  Tadian, Sabangan, and Sagada.  Bauko and Barlig  had one  emergency situation each.

The BFP  is  continuously  conducting  community fire drill and simulations, and  training of community fire auxiliary groups.  However, the  BFP   noted the  need  for the  conduct  of  training courses  on fire arson investigation and operation,  fire investigation,  fire safety inspection, emergency medical technician course, and  basic rope rescue technique for personnel of law enforcement agencies and government  employees and volunteers for  better  emergency response, they being usually the first responders.

The BFP also  recommends  strengthened fire safety inspection  of  all business establishments and government buildings in the province.(JDP/CVBT-PIA CAR, Mt. Province)