From the Bohol Fire Marshall
In line with the effort to reduce incidence of firecracker-related fires and injuries during the Holiday Season, the Bohol Bureau of Fire Protection (Bohol-BFP), through its City/Municipal Fire Stations and Municipal Fire Protection Offices, embarks on the project “Oplan: Iwas Paputok.â€
The project is a means of promoting fire prevention and information dissemination on the danger of firecrackers, fireworks and other related emergencies.
The Office of the Provincial Fire Marshal will be the lead agency to implement on information in the respective City and Municipalities province-wide. The local radio stations and print media shall assign a pool of speakers to promote on the fire prevention and remind the public on the dangers of firecrackers, especially focusing on the dangers of using firecrackers and fireworks. Streamers and posters will be posted at strategic places and will be carried-out during the season.
All BFP offices/units/stations in the province will be on Code: Highten Red Alert on Dec. 24, 25, 31, 2007 and Jan. 1, 2008 to prepare emergency units and ensure prompt responses to fire alarms and emergency services to injured victims during the celebration.
Adequate manpower and firefighting apparatus among others will also be made available at all times.
There will be surveillance and monitoring by the Anti-Arson operatives and round-the-clock firetruck visibility/patrol especially at designated firecrackers display zone, crowded areas and public assembly places. Also, in occupancies during peak hours where everybody is busy preparing foods for the season and using electrical power in their Christmas lighting and decorations.
Certainly, the foregoing tips to curtail if not eliminate the occurrence of such disastrous fire incidents prove to be essential.
• Switch off all electrically – lighted Christmas decors before sleeping or when leaving your house.
• If you’re leaving your house during the holidays, please make sure to unplug all appliances and close your LPG tank valve.
• Adults must keep watch over children playing with fireworks. Ensure that they are having fun the right way – the safe way.
• Never hold firecrackers while lighting it.
• Don’t burn rubber tires or make bonfires on the street.
• It is safer to throw unlighted firecrackers into a drum with fire inside. Place the drum away from combustible materials.
• Never pick – up or hold a firecracker that failed to explode immediately. A loose fuse may delay explosion.
• Flying firecrackers should always be lighted on open ground, pointing straight up.
• Ensure that children don’t engage in pranks such as throwing lighted firecrackers or sparklers at others, or try to make fireworks themselves.
• Store fireworks in a safe place with no combustible materials.
• Keep a pail of water handy, it can be used to put out fire or as a first-aid for minor burns until the pain subjects.
• Buy only legally mandated firecrackers, don’t buy banned firecrackers such as “Pla – pla,†Super Lolo other highly explosive kinds.
• After the New Year’s Eve celebration, douse all firecrackers debris with water and sweep these away.
Lateral coordination with other City and Municipal offices of various government agencies such as PIA, PNP, DILG, DOH, DND and LGU concerned to strengthen the Operational Plan. The strategy is focusing against the use of illegal firecrackers which is prohibited under R.A. 7183 (Firecracker Law) and P.D. 1185.
All BFP offices/units/stations in the province are hereby declared a “Firecracker Free Zone.†As such, selling, vending of firecrackers is strictly prohibited within the facilities and premises. All City/Municipal Fire Marshals and Municipal Fire Protection coordinators are hereby instructed to disseminate the same guidelines to their personnel.
The PROSAFE Advocators and the Provincial Fire Marshal shall provide technical support likewise supervise the implementation of the project province-wide. (Nonilo P. Acero/Supt. (MPA) BFP)
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