THE ILOILO City Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) recorded 77 fire incidents with one fatality in March, observed as Fire Prevention Month in the country. “We recorded 77 fire calls for the month of March. Out of which, 24 were grassfire, 22 were structural, 21 electrical pole fire, eight rubbish fire, and two vehicular fires,” BFP Senior Fire Officer Aquilino B. Sampiano said, noting that the total is more than double the 34 incidents recorded in March 2018. Mr. Sampiano also said that most of the incidents were in congested communities, or those with small alleys, which highlights the need for barangay-level fire brigades. “I would like to recommend barangays to organize fire brigades so that in the meantime during the fire, they will serve as frontliners and respond immediately,” he said. The BFP, he added, is ready to provide training. “We are willing to train tanods (barangay guards) or any volunteers from their barangays. They can form fire brigades with 15 minimum members,” he said. Meanwhile, Mayor Jose S. Espinosa III said last Monday that they are looking into stricter parking policies to ensure access for fire trucks during emergencies. “We plan to identify the most hazardous barangays. Then we will see to it that no vehicle will park on the alleys especially,” he said. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

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