Chief Inspector Rodel Legaspi, city fire marshal, said they are thankful that there were no major fires in Bacolod City in March when incidents usually rise.
The Bureau of Fire Protection Bacolod capped its Fire Prevention Month Thursday, March 31, by honoring its partners from the government and private sector.
The data speaks for itself, the BFP Bacolod was more effective in March this year compared to 2021 and 2022 with the help of its fire prevention campaign partners, Legaspi said.
“We cannot do it alone and we thank you for partnering with us, for supporting the plans and programs of the Bureau of Fire Protection,” he said.
He said this March there was less fire damage compared to previous years.
This March there were 25 fire incidents, many of which were minor, with damage estimated at P205,100 and no lives lost, Legaspi said.
He pointed out that in March 2020 there were 34 fire incidents with P2,019,581 in damage and in March 2021 there were 21 incidents with damage at P573, 500.
Among those honored at the BFP rites were 10 members of the Community Fire Auxiliary Group (CFAG) in Barangay Taculing, the first created in the city.
Joemarie Baldomar, Taculing CFAG head, said their members were trained by the BFP and their barangay provided them with a fire truck.
As of February, they have responded to 66 fires not only in their barangay but in other areas of the city, Baldomar said.
Legaspi said the BFP is encouraging the creation of more CFAGs in the barangays to serve as first responders to fires because quick response is vital.
Barangay Handumanan has also purchased a fire truck and the BFP trained its tanods and barangay leaders to be part of its CFAG, he said.
Other barangays have also expressed interest in putting up their own CFAGs, he said.*