ILOILO City – The capabilities of women firefighters were showcased yesterday during the culminating activity of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) here for the Fire Prevention Month.
Since March was also observed as National Women’s Month, the BFP deemed it wise to focus the spotlight on its women personnel.
“In firefighting, indi pwede nga wala babaye kay may mga biktima nga babaye,” said Senior Superintendent Jerry Candido, director of BFP Region 6.
The culminating program was held at the Central Philippine University. Female firefighters demonstrated their expertise in fire suppression. They also carried out a fire drill.
According to Candido, of the 2,335 BFP firefighters in Western Visayas, 25 percent were women.
He, however, observed a decline in the number of women applying to join the BFP, probably because of the nature of the job.
“I’ve been in the job…two minutes of continued firefighting and you have to take a rest. Sila pa ayhan nga babaye,” said Candido.
‘PRACTICE DRILL EXIT IN HOMES’
Also yesterday, the BFP showcased the capabilities of its Special Reserve Force and Energy Medical Services.
Candido said their fire prevention campaign is all throughout the year.
He also stressed the important of conducting fire drills at home.
“Practice EDITH or the Exit Drill in the Home. This aims to avoid injuries or casualties during fire incidents kay ang No. 1 enemy during the fire is not the fire itself, it is our panicking,” Candido explained.
“Indi kamo magsalig nga inyo balay, familiar kamo sang gwaan. Yes, pero malipatan ninyo ina kon kamo ginakulbaan na. Kami gani nga mga bombero nga anad sa emergency ginakulbaan pa, kamo pa ayhan. Let us be honest with that,” Candido said.
The regional director stressed the importance of maintaining electrical lines at home by licensed electricians.
The only way to prevent electrical fire is to maintain it, stressed Candido. He urged every household to allot a budget for this.
Last year, 50 percent of fire incidents in the region was electrical in nature, he revealed.
In the first quarter of this year, 55 percent of fires were also electrical in nature, he added./PN
