City of Koronadal, South Cotabato – An orientation/briefing on the promotion of safety against fire emergencies was provided by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) XII, through its Koronadal City fire office, to NEDA XII staff on March 16, 2017 as one of their in-house staff development activities. The said activity is part of the agency’s observance of the Fire Prevention Month for 2017.

The month of March was officially designated as Fire Prevention Month as provided for in Presidential Proclamation 115-A, Series of 1973. The said proclamation was aimed at raising the level of awareness of the Filipino people on the importance of preventive measures against fire emergencies.

FO1 Rodrigo D. Peralta, Jr. of the Koronadal City BFP explained the ways to prevent fire and save lives and properties. “It is everyone’s responsibility to prevent the occurrence of fire. If a fire occurs at home/office, your chances of survival will depend on how quickly and safely you are able to get out,” he said.
He further enumerated the different kinds of flammable materials, and explained how to properly extinguish the fire that emanates from the said materials. In addition, FO1 Peralta gave some tips in extinguishing a fire. According to him, reducing the temperature through cooling of fire involving ordinary combustible materials is the most practical and easiest way to extinguish fire.

“To tame a fire, we must know its characteristics, so that we can eliminate one of its elements, thereby controlling it,” FO1 Peralta further reminded the NEDA XII staff.

Moreover, he informed the staff that conducting fire drills twice a year is very important to familiarize everyone with the do’s and don’ts in case of fire emergencies.

In parting, he emphasized that the first line of defense against fire is to prevent it from taking place. “It is important to take the necessary precautions by planning our way out in case of fire” he said.

As a token of appreciation for the orientation, RD Arturo G. Valero of NEDA XII awarded FO1 Peralta with a certificate of appreciation after the activity. (Gwyneth Grace B. Collado/Helen L. Vestal, NEDA XII-DRD)