CLARK FREEPORT — Pampanga was hailed as the most improved province in fire safety last year, as fire incidents have lessened by 50 percent from previous years.
In the monthly KapiHann media forum of the Pampanga Press Club held at Swissotel Clark, Pampanga Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Romeo Pepito said that from the previous 500 fire incidents a year, the number has cut down by half in 2023.
Incurred damages to properties last year was pegged at P100 million.
Pepito said their public awareness campaign has helped curb incidents, with the support of community fire auxiliary groups (CFAG), a quick-response team at the barangay level.
He said the bureau was able to train 50 percent of the CFAG in the 505 barangays in the entire province, which are the first responders in their respective areas.
BFP Pampanga, Pepito said, has 55 fire trucks, excluding those from local government units and private establishments.
However, Pepito appealed to LGUs for the acquisition of land to house fire stations.
“We have enough fire trucks in the entire province; what we are appealing for is the acquisition of land by every LGU to house fire stations,” he furthered.
Meanwhile, Pepito announced the month-long activities of the Bureau for Fire Prevention Month, which include high-density fire drills, rescue, gift-giving to public schools (fire emergency kits), bloodletting, a simultaneous clean-up drive in the entire province, tree planting, house tours, and station fire Olympics at the barangay level to test the agility of personnel.
Pampanga has 505 uniformed personnel out of the required ratio of 1,700 supposed fire fighters.
