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DepEd, BFP host Fire Square roadshow

Photo: DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service, in partnership with the Bureau of Fire Protection-National Capital region, held the Fire Square Road Show in celebration of the National Disaster Resilience Month (DepEd)

The Department of Education’s (DepEd) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), in cooperation with the Bureau of Fire Protection-National Capital Region (BFP-NCR) held a Fire Square Roadshow in celebration of National Disaster Resilience Month.

Through DepEd’s Fire Safety and Awareness Program, strengthened by the Department Order No. 28, s. 2016, schools are expected to develop their own fire safety plans, facilitate BFP safety inspections, and conduct quarterly fire drills and fire safety lectures, among others.

Tonisito Umali, Esq., Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships, and Project Management Service commended the DepEd’s strengthened partnership with the BFP under the leadership of Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones.

DRRMS Director Ronilda Co said “such partnership is vital as 15,662 schools nationwide experienced fire from School Years 2009-2010 to 2017-2018.”

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According to Ricardo Perdigon, BFP-NCR District IV Fire Marshall Senior Superintendent, the Fire Square Road Show is the agency’s frontline program for imparting awareness on fire prevention and response. It also imparted knowledge on children to become responsive too in times of disaster.

He also called for collective action from the public especially when notably the “Big One” or a magnitude 7.2 earthquake will affect the Greater Metro Manila Area.

“With fire being a secondary hazard among major disasters, the fire department will need the assistance of the education sector in preparing for, responding to, and most especially preventing fire,” he said.

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Personnel were exposed to firefighting techniques, simulations of collapsed structures, and electrical safety through Meralco.

Also, basic first aid and emergency training were conducted through cardiopulmonary resuscitation, bandaging and splinting booths, roping, knot tying, rappelling, and warning signages and other safety practices.

The DRRMS partnered with national government agencies and non-government organizations to advocate for and strengthen disaster resilience. The Earthquake Resilience Forum tackled various scenarios and protocols centered on the “Big One.”

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