The Zamboanga City Fire District urges greater community participation in fire prevention measures even as it further intensifies advocacies to keep public safe at all times.

Newly-installed City Fire District Marshal Supt. Marie Epiphany Ramirez said the Bureau of Fire Protection continuously strengthens its fire protection campaigns through different programs and activities but the active participation of the public in the preventive measures is very crucial.

Since Sunday, Oct. 13, a total of 5 fire incidents have been recorded in different barangays. These incidents happened in Putik, Guiwan, San Jose, San Roque and Tugbungan.

Three of the fire incidents are undergoing investigation but fire probers suspect arson in the San Roque incident and battery overcharging in the Putik incident.

Meanwhile, Ramirez said the BFP has introduced “Oplan Ligtas na Pamayanan”, a massive fire prevention campaign aimed to capacitate volunteer firefighters who will help in fire protection-related activities in the grassroots level.

Under the campaign, each barangay will have its own fire brigades that will act as first responders in case of fire incidents in their respective barangays.

The campaign composes various stages that will be implemented during the year. (Sheila Covarrubias)