Wednesday, April 16, 2008 Fire incidents down by 40%
THE fire incidents in Dumaguete City drastically slowed down on the first quarter of this year.
Records at the local fire station disclosed that the number of fire incidents in the first quarter of this year has declined by about 40 percent compared to last year's figure.
From January 1 to March 31 this year only 12 fire incidents were reported, which is a significant drop from 20 fire alarms last year of the same period.
Estimated losses or damages due to fire incidents were cut by almost 87 percent this year.
Of the 12 incidents in the first quarter of 2008, the month of March posted the most number of fire alarms with eight incidents.
The months of January and February each registered two fire alarms.
In contrast, six fire incidents were reported in the first quarter of 2007 and seven each for the months of February and March.
City Fire Marshall William Tacaldo Jr. said the decreasing fire incidents and damages are attributed to the increase awareness of the general public in fire safety measures.
The agency has also reported a 33 percent increase in the number of fire drills conducted and the completion of 22 seminars on fire safety in the first quarter of 2008.
Of the 2,818 establishments that were inspected not one has been recommended for closure so far this year.
However, 34 of these establishments have been told to institute corrective measures to comply with the fire safety requirements of the law.
The revenue from fire code fees was unchanged in the first quarter of this year with a total of P1,081,152.40 compared to some P 1,062,921.90 in the same period last year.
The fire bureau was also instrumental in the formation and training of at least nine new fire brigades in the city from January to March this year.
Tacaldo vowed that his administration will continue with much vigor its activities to enhance the public's knowledge in fire safety measures because he said fire prevention should only be highlighted in March, it must be a whole year endeavor. (EBS)
