There is a hot-rod reason to be vigilant in March, the start of the searing months which end in May in this two-season archipelago, since it has been observed for the past 52 years, by Presidential Proclamation in November 1966, as the Fire Prevention Month.
These months constitute the quarter which has registered the highest number of fire incidents in recent years.
The Bureau of Fire Protection has been designated as the lead agency for such observance, ushered in on Friday with a simultaneous “Walk for a Fire-Free and a Fire-Safe Nation” nationwide, except for the BFP National Headquarters and National Capital Region which will conduct the activity today at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.
Activities across the archipelago, from Tawi-Tawi up to Batanes, will focus on the theme slogan “Kaligtasan sa Sunog: Alamin, Gawin at Isabuhay Natin.”
These activities include, but are not limited to, TV and radio guesting, stressing the importance of fire safety; Berong Bumbero sa Paaralan or the conduct of fire safety awareness campaign in all elementary schools through story telling from March 3 to 7.
There will also be Takbo Laban sa Sunog on March 7, refresher training course for all volunteer Fire Brigades and Barangay Disaster Control Brigade of all Regional Offices/Fire Stations on March 9; a three-day Open House for school children for lectures on fire safety and provide them proper knowledge in using different firefighting equipment.
Throughout the Fire Prevention Month, the Fire Safety Awareness Campaign will be continuing, with leaflets, posters and other information materials distributed in different areas.
At the same time, lectures on fire prevention, inspection of establishments, testing of fire hydrants, fire disaster emergency evacuation planning, fire drills, monitoring of all hazard operations, identification of fire-prone areas and conduct of pre-fire planning to areas identified, as well as caravans will be intensified.
But some caveat must be raised.
People from all walks of life must be on the beam as regards the importance of taking requisite safety measures—not only during the Fire Prevention Month but throughout the year when fire can stealthily charge like a thief in the night.