The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Dumaguete City has trained civilian volunteer auxiliaries in 10 of the city’s 30 barangays this year to act as “first responders” during fire incidents.
These Community Fire Auxiliary Groups (CFAGs) are designed to aid the BFP in fire safety and community response, said Senior Fire Inspector Joebert Sanao, the new city fire marshal, at a press conference on Wednesday, February 25.
“These CFAG volunteers are a big help to us as first responders, being the first at the scene and helping control the crowd while waiting for the fire trucks to arrive,” Sanao said in mixed English and Cebuano.
He highlighted the need for these volunteers amid challenges, such as the lack of fire trucks, and also assisting in hose handling, emergency evacuation, and fire safety awareness.
The CFAG barangay training started this year in Taclobo, Daro, Banilad, Calindagan, Batinguel, Poblacion 8, Mangnao-Canal, Talay, Camanjac, and Bajumpandan, according to Fire Officer 3 Meryl Ann Flores, public information officer of the city fire station.
Flores said this is an annual activity, and the number of volunteers varies from 10 to 20 per barangay.
Regular training is done each year to replace volunteers who leave the group, she added.
Meanwhile, Sanao said the BFP in the city will also be adding more fire hydrants in key locations this year, especially in areas hardly accessible by fire trucks.
The BFP in the city currently has 58 operational fire hydrants spread barangays like Poblacion 1, Calindagan, Tabuc-tubig, Mangnao, Banilad, Cantil-e, Taclobo, Batinguel, Bagacay, Cadawinonan, and Junob.
Provincial fire marshal Senior Supt. Gwen Besas said at the same press conference that several activities are lined up for the celebration of Fire Prevention Month and Women’s Month this March.
The celebration will kick off with a motorcade and a Mass on March 1 at various fire stations across the province.
Some activities during the month-long celebration include bloodletting, friendly sports competition, fire safety information drives, and medical missions, among others. (PNA)