The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Puerto Princesa has strengthened its drive towards fire prevention by forming Community Fire Auxiliary Groups (CFAGs) in every barangay and purok in the city, in a bid to formulate the Community Fire Prevention Plan (CFPP) and implement its nationwide program known as Oplan Ligtas Pamayanan (OLP) 2020.
Starting this year, the BFP conducted orientation and meeting in the city’s 66 barangays with five representatives in every purok for the formation of the CFAG.
For the second round of capability building and seminar, seven members per purok are required to attend for another fire prevention training.
In Barangay Sta. Monica, more than 50 participants composed of barangay officials, tanod, barangay personnel, purok officers and representatives attended the lecture as part of the orientation of the OLP.
Fire Officer II Carl Conde, during his lecture this Sunday at the barangay covered court of Barangay Sta. Monica, explained that CFAG will help BFP in household-to-household inspections and removal of fire hazards and any obstructions whenever necessary.
In case of fire, when the fire trucks and BFP personnel are not yet present in the area, the CFAG will immediately respond by mobilizing purok residents to help put out the fire, help facilitate the flow of the traffic, among other important tasks.
“Ito ay directive from President Duterte at dito sa OLP ay ginawang mas komprehensibo, mas detalyado at mas malawak,” he said.
The CFPP is a contingency and vulnerability plan. Among the target output of the program is the formulation of the CFPP, and the posting of fire hazard maps in every barangays. The map will identify red zones or areas considered as fire-prone due to the presence of structures considered as fire hazards, and other factors. The map shall also include the location of the hydrants to guide residents, volunteers and responders.
These are among the BFP’s strengthened tactical defense strategies. Another important document that will be formulated during a series of training in the barangay level is the exit plan.
FO2 Conde explained that this is important to prepare the community on how to handle when conflagration happen.
He said that few months ago, when fire broke out in Barangay Bagong Silang, that burned down more than 66 households and displaced close to 200 families in the area, residents are in chaos when because of the absence of exit plan.
“Noong sunog sa Barangay Bagong Silang, napakaraming tao tao ang exit. Nagkaragulo lang. Bakit? Kasi walang plano o exit plan, dapat ay mayroong plano,” he emphasized.