Bureau of Fire notes slight increase in fire incidents in 2007 than in 2006

By Ronron
March 11, 2008

The Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) reported Tuesday a slight increase in the number of fire incidents last year compared to 2006.

Sr. Supt. Carlito Romero, BFP Deputy for Operations, told a news forum at Camp Crame that there were a total of 9,042 fire incidents nationwide in 2007, posting a slight increase from the 8,823 incidents the previous year.

Romero said about a third of the incidents happened in Metro Manila, which, he said, is due to the fact that the bulk of the national population and the establishments are located in said region.

Romero said the number one cause of fire is electrical ignition, about 20 percent of which account for overheated electric fan. The second most common cause is open flame such as from candles and kitchen materials.

"Since this is Fire Prevention Month, we have launched fire prevention campaign through photo contests, essay-writing contests, and drawing contests to remind the public how to avoid fire. We started these activities last March 1," Romero said.

For this year, Romero said close to 500 fire incidents have so far been reported all over the country.

Nonetheless, he pointed out that despite the slight increase in the number of fire incidents last year, the damages were milder.

Romero said the cost of damages went down to P2.2 billion from P3.2 billion in 2006, and the number of injured and killed victims was fewer.

Romero said this was due to the "cooperation of the public in our fire prevention campaign," and the media's help in disseminating our "fire prevention tips and programs."

As of this time, Romero said the BFP only has 1,272 firetrucks nationwide, short of 1,891 to meet the ideal number of 3,163 firetrucks.

It also needs 16,406 firemen and personnel to add up to the existing 12,814-strong BFP to meet the ideal strength of 29,200 nationwide./DMS