The Manila Fire Bureau and the fire volunteer group TXTFire Philippines have joined forces to advocate for every Manila home to possess at least one fire extinguisher as a crucial tool in case of a fire emergency.
BFB-Manila Fire Marshall Senior Superintendent Christine Doctor-Cula — the first woman to hold the post — and Gerik Chua, co-founder of TXTFIRE Philippines, the largest fire volunteer association in the country, emphasized the significance of homeowners taking the role of first responders seriously.
Chua also stressed the importance of fire safety consciousness.
“Indeed, a fire extinguisher is very important. Most of the time, people are not safety conscious. We only become conscious of fire safety after an incident happens close to us,” he said on Friday during the ‘MACHRA Balitaan’ news forum organized by the Manila City Hall Reporters’ Association at the Harbor View Restaurant.
“If you can buy various things for your home, let’s also invest in a fire extinguisher. This is not just for you, but for the entire family, and possibly for our neighbors,” Chua added.
Cula added that fire extinguishers are among the requirements to apply for a building permit. Addressing the issue of permits being overlooked in informal communities, she suggested that having a pail of water in the absence of fire extinguishers should come in handy.
“Are you ready? That is the question we always must ask,” emphasized Cula.
However, she cautioned the public that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) or its personnel does not endorse any specific brand of fire extinguishers.
In preparing for March being Fire Prevention Month, Cula and Chua urged the public to familiarize themselves with fire safety guidelines and prioritize calling fire responders over using their cellphones to post incidents on social media.
During the forum, Cula and Chua emphasized the shift from the days when government and volunteer firefighters clashed.
They stressed the need to work closely and in unison, recognizing that both groups serve the same purpose, with their sole adversary being fire.
Acknowledging the invaluable assistance provided by TXTFire volunteer firefighters, Cula revealed that in Manila alone, there are 236 fire trucks and 2,300 volunteers assisting the BFP-Manila during fire incidents.
Chua highlighted the readiness of TXTFire, with 200 groups and an equivalent number of fire trucks ready for dispatch when needed. He emphasized that their group serves to augment government fire responders.
For fire emergencies, the public is encouraged to call 911 and 0985-3999118 for BFP, while TXTFire can be contacted at 0918-688888 (text only) and 0922-5611111.