BFP eyes ‘zero’ firecracker-related incidents on New Year revelry
THE Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) will be deploying firetrucks and medical teams in fireworks-display areas as it is eyeing “zero” firecracker-related incidents during the New Year revelry.
BFP chief Louie Puracan said that the instruction has already been relayed to all regional directors nationwide in support of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s call to ensure public safety as the country welcomes the year 2023.
The country’s chief executive has prodded local chief executives to have common fireworks display areas to lessen, if not totally prevent, untoward incidents, most particularly destructive fires.
“Target natin zero (fire incident)… yung tropa natin ay mag-iikot sa mga firecracker display areas sa kasagsagan ng (New Year) celebration para mahigpit na magbantay,” Puracan told the Journal on the phone.
Firetrucks with medical teams in tow will be on standby in full alert mode while monitoring the revelry in progress.
In a recent press briefing, BFP spokesperson Supt. Analee Atienza said that the President’s order will be a big factor in their aim to have zero firecracker-related incidents, which was proven in 2021 and in 2022, where LGUs (local government units) also played a major factor when it totally banned firecracker use in residential areas.
She said that as per Puracan’s instruction, fire trucks will be strategically deployed in public places all over the country with close coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) as the New year celebration nears.
Puracan appealed to the public to just watch the fireworks displays in the designated areas of their communities, with the BFP and other agencies trying their best to zero in on a much safer New Year’s day celebration.
He assured that personnel and the so-called “force multipliers” are in place to man well-conditioned fire trucks, especially in Metro Manila, where fire incidents usually struck during the New Year revelry.
Despite the government’s efforts to maintain public safety in the New Year’s day celebration, the BFP chief admitted that tracking down illegal fireworks sellers remains a challenge as they are mostly stored and sold inside residences.
