ACTIVITIES FOR FIRE PREVENTION MONTH START

Olongapo firefighters and emergency response teams joined the Bureau of Fire Protection in its nationwide unity walk that ushered in the celebration of Fire Prevention Month.

Presidential Proclamation No. 115-A mandates the celebration of Fire Prevention Month every year, aimed at raising the level of public awareness on ways to prevent fires and save lives and properties.

With the theme “ Sunog at Sakuna ay Paghandaan, Kalikasan ay Pangalagaan nang Matamasa ang Pag-unland ng Bayan,” this year’s celebration focuses on  the conduct of an intensive information campaign on how to prevent and fight fires.

Aside from the fire safety reminders that will be aired daily from March 1 to 31 at local radio stations, the BFP has also lined up the following activities:

MAR 04    BERONG BUMBERO SA PAARALAN (FIRE SAFETY AWARENESS  CAMPAIGN ON ELEM/PRE-SCHOOLERS)

MAR 08-SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES IN THE FIRE PREVENTION MONTH PHOTO CONTEST

MAR 11 – 15 FIRE DRILL AND LECTURES IN HIGH SCHOOLS AND OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS

MAR 12 – 14  3-DAY FIRE STATION OPEN HOUSE

MAR 18 - 22 UGNAYAN SA BARANGAY WITH HOUSE TO HOUSE  FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION FOR SINGLE AND TWO FAMILY DWELLINGS

APR  01                  CULMINATING ACTIVITY/ MASS/  AWARDING OF PRIZES

Meanwhile, here are a few useful tips to prevent fire:

1.   Matches/flammable liquids/lighters/other combustible materials should be properly stored, kept away from children and pets, or disposed of completely;

2.  Candles or lighted mosquito coils should never be left unattended, and should be placed away from curtains, paper, and other materials that easily catch fire;

3.  Cigarette butts should be properly put out before disposing of them in trash bins;

4.  Electrical wiring should be regularly checked by a licensed electrician;

5.  Unplug appliances not in use;

6.   Fire extinguishers should be placed in easily accessible places and everyone at home or in the office should know how to use them;

7.   Fire drills, which include escape routes and mitigation measures, should be held regularly.

8.   In the event of fire, one should know what immediate steps to take to keep it from spreading. Small fires may be extinguished by smothering the flame to keep it from spreading.  Small fires may be extinguished by smothering the flame with a non-flammable item like a pot cover or a dampened towel or blanket.

9.   Water should be used only for non-electrical fires and fires not caused by gasoline and similar combustible fluids. In the face of apparent danger, one should quickly run to a safe place and allow trained fire fighters to handle the situation.

PNP & BFP RECEIVE CASH INCENTIVES

Some 500 PNP and BFP personnel were the first to receive cash incentives from Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. and FL Anne Gordon on December 22, 2010 at FMA Hall.

The cash incentives, in line with the spirit of Christmas, is part of the some P3.5M to be given to national agency personnel serving the city.

“Kahit hindi pasko mag tulungan at magbigayan tayo, let us show each other love and respect,” Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. said.

He also reiterated the Anti-firecrackers campaign, “I would like to appeal to all to cooperate against the use of firecrackers so that we will have a truly peaceful Christmas and New Year,” he added.

“Sana ay lagi nating isulong ang kapakanan ng bayan at magkaroon tayo ng peace of mind, Merry Christmas sa inyong lahat,” FL Anne Gordon said.

Olongapo City Observes Fire Prevention Month

By virtue of Proclamation No. 115-A, Olongapo City and the rest of the country observes the Fire Prevention Month, March of every year, to increase the level of awareness of the public on the ways to prevent fires and to save lives and properties because March is the month of hot and dry season when the environment is more prone and conducive to fires,” said Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr.

“With this year’s theme: Sustaining Fire Prevention through Active Community Participation, the city government is calling on Olongapeños to help prevent or minimize the incidents of fires by being constantly aware of the environment,” Mayor Gordon added.

Accordingly, the City Bureau of Fire Protection has provided the following home and life-saving tips to prevent the incidence of fires:

• List down the phone numbers of the Fire Department in case of emergencies.

• Eliminate fire hazards through good housekeeping: dispose waste paper, rubbish and other flammable materials regularly.

• Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach.

• Oil or gas lamps and candles should be placed away from curtains. Do not light them near windows, fans or where children or pets may topple them. Put out the flame before going to bed.

• Never read in bed by candle or lamp.

• Do not leave a burning candle unattended.

• Do not keep flammable materials like gasoline, alcohol and paint inside the house.

• Regularly check your electrical installations, and have all frayed wirings and electrical fixtures changed or repaired by a licensed electrician.

• Never leave a lighted cigarette/cigar/pipe unattended. This may fall on flammable materials.

• Crush cigarette butts thoroughly before discarding them. Do not throw butts into the waste basket. Always have ashtray available in your home.

• Check LPG, kerosene and oil stove regularly for leakage and defects.

• Don't leave the stove while cooking and always turn it off after use.

• Don't heat wax, paints and other polishing substances over open flames.

• Always check your kitchen before going to sleep.

• Unplug electrical appliance after use.

• Don't replace blown fused with tin foil, wire or metal to short circuit the current. Used only approved and standard fused.

• Always keep a first-aid kit handy.

It can be recalled that Mayor Gordon’s HELPS (health, housing, environment, education, livelihood, labor, peace and order and social services) report shows a decreasing trend in the city’s fire incidents from 2007 to 2009 due to the combined efforts of the Bureau of Fire Protection and the communities to save lives and properties.

FIRE PREVENTION IN OLONGAPO

Two fire-related incidents in the City of Olongapo this January, which are only one day apart, raised alarm in the public and concern from the City Government. Both incidents happened in residential establishments damaging properties estimated at more than a million pesos and claimed the life of an 11-year-old girl.

Vice Mayor Cynthia G. Cajudo is appealing to the public to practice fire safety measures. The city government wants to ensure the public’s safety by reminding them of the little things they can do to prevent such accidents in their homes.

She is urging Olongapeños to follow the fifteen (15) Fire Safety Tips of the Philippine National Red Cross, as follows:
1. Avoid electrical overloading.
2. Unplug all electrical appliances after every use.
3. Check all electrical installations regularly.
4. Check gas stoves and LPG tanks for leaks.
5. Keep children away from flammable liquids, lighters and matches.
6. Avoid smoking in bed.
7. Ensure you have a pre-fire plan at your residence or office.
8. Do not leave lighted mosquito coils unattended.
9. Always take extra precautions while cooking.
10. Never leave lighted candles unattended.
11. Do not throw lighted cigar or cigarette butts on dried leaves and garbage.
12. Strictly obey the no smoking signs.
13. Maintain proper housekeeping to eliminate fire hazards.
14. Check fire protection gadgets or devices of appliances and equipment regularly.
15. Be fire-safety conscious.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), headed by CInsp. Jonas R. Silvano, conducts regular inspections to business establishments and also supervises practice drills in schools and offices to combat fire incidents.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon personally inspected the site where a fire incident razed an old apartment along Norton St. in Pagasa and Canda St. in East Bajac-Bajac.

PAO/ chay

BFP COMMENDS GROUPS

On October 9, 2008, the Bureau of Fire- Olongapo City, led by Fire Marshall Jonas Silvano, responded to a fire in New Banicain.

The fire was declared ‘under control’ within thirty (30) minutes and two (2) persons were saved after getting electrocuted, thanks to the swift response of BFP and the other groups.

In line with this, the BFP commended the groups which helped BFP in suppressing the fire and rescuing the lives of those who were endangered by the fire. The BFP gave the certificates of recognition to the groups during the flag-raising ceremony at the Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center on October 12, 2008.

The awardees are Sta. Rita Fire Rescue Team, Disaster Management Office (DMO )- Olongapo City and Ulo ng Apo Radio Group.

“It has only been three months since I was assigned as city fire marshall and there has only been one big fire which occurred on October 2008 at Banicain, Sta. Rita,” said Silvano. “On the part of BFP, we have done our job and we are able to serve our purpose because we were able to save two lives and the fire was declared under control in a matter of thirty (30) minutes.”

“This is our way of expressing our gratitude to those who helped us fulfill our job,” Silvano added. “In grateful recognition and appreciation of their invaluable services extended to the BFP-Olongapo City, particularly to the response of the call of duty during the fire that occurred at the Gordon St., New Banicain, Olongapo City.”

Three two storey buildings located at #44 Gordon St., New Banicain, Olongapo City were ravaged by the fire.

Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. and City Fire Marshall Jonas Silvano with the groups commended by the Bureau of Fire- Olongapo City for their help in suppressing the fire that occurred at New Banicain on October 9, 2009.

PAO/Don

DX3UNA ASSISTANCE TO FIRE DEPT COMMUNICATIONS

Olongapo City Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. and Olongapo Bureau of Fire (BFP) Fire Marshall C/Insp. Jonas Silvano awarded a certificate of recognition to Ulo Ng Apo Radio Group DX3UNA

The group was recognized for their continued support to the objectives and activities of the city on August 26, 2008 at the flag raising ceremony held at the Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center. The group recently donated several battery packs of handheld radios to BFP.

It can be recalled that Silvano said that his major goal is to ensure that the equipment used by BFP are in good condition and fully functional.

“Part of our current program is to upgrade the equipments at dati wala na kaming gumaganang handheld radios which are instrumental for an effective and efficient conduct of fire operations but with the help of an NGO, the Ulo ng Apo Media Group, we are able to acquire battery packs of handheld radios,” Silvano explained.

“Nung huli po akong nagsalita, I said that I accept the challenge para maging the best fire station in the entire country ang BFP Olongapo and we are currently working on that. At ngayon, I am happy to announce that two of our fire trucks are now upgraded and in working condition,” Silvano said.

Mayor Gordon was grateful for the media group’s donation. Like Silvano, Mayor Gordon wants the equipment of the city to be in tip-top shape and upgraded so efficient public service can be rendered.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr., City Councilor Edwin Piano, Olongapo Bureau of Fire (BFP) Fire Marshall C/Insp. Jonas Silvano, DX3UNA President Rudy Dalluay and members of the Ulo ng Apo Radio Group during the awarding of the ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ for the said group.