CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) – Call us first before you go live.

An official of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) recently made this call as she advised the public, particularly social media users, how they can effectively help in fire incidents.

In an interview with the Philippine Information Agency Sulong Calabarzon program, Chief Insp. Nerissa Eugenia Panergalin, chief of the BFP Calabarzon Fire Safety Enforcement Division, reiterated that authorities do not prohibit the public from posting images of fire incidents on social media, but they strongly encourage them to use the time to immediately call the nearest fire station and alert them on the incident so they could respond faster.

“We always remind the public to call their local fire stations before taking a video. We are in a democratic country, we are free to do this, however it would be more helpful if they call the fire stations first,” Panergalin stressed.

She added that the urgent tip from the public will help fire responders and volunteers to be aware of the situation and immediately take action to extinguish the fire, save lives and find out its cause after the investigation. 

During the height of COVID-19 pandemic, Panergalin reported a decline in the number of fire cases and incidents in Calabarzon. 

From January 1 to February 26, 2023 there were 271 reported fire cases in the region, but during the same period this year, it has since increased to 412 reported fire cases.

Panergalin said: “We observed a noticeable decrease in fire statistics during the pandemic and post-pandemic period and perhaps the presence of people in their residences contributed to the decline in fire incidents. However, now that we have returned to our regular activities, it is disheartening to say that the statistics are gradually increasing again”.

The fire bureau has since launched the ‘Oplan Ligtas na Pamayanan’ campaign to intensify their public awareness efforts and disseminate crucial information to the public regarding the significance of fire safety tips and to empower them with knowledge that can effectively prevent fire incidents.

In addition to this, BFP IV-A also established the Handang Pamayanan Program which actively involves the barangays in community fire protection planning sessions. They also formed the Community Fire Auxiliary Group (CPAG), composed of barangay members trained to be the first responders to fire incidents under the guidance of the BFP. 

Through this, they assess each barangay and determine fire hazards in their respective areas in order to ensure prompt response in the event of a fire incident in their area. 

As the nation commemorates the National Fire Prevention Month every March, Panergalin once again urged the public to adhere to basic safety tips to prevent fires as fire incidents tend to rise every March based on historical data. 

Some precautionary measures laid out by the BFP include: Ensure to unplug any electric appliances after use, use high-quality outlets and extensions, avoid octopus connections that may lead to short circuits or overheating, store matches or lighters in a place inaccessible to children, and conduct a personal Exit Drill in the Home or EDITH for the safety of everyone at home. (CO/PIA-4A)

Sulong Calabarzon is a weekly public affairs program hosted by the Philippine Information Agency Calabarzon, streaming live every Thursday, 2:00 PM via the Philippine Information Agency Calabarzon Facebook page.