IN PREPARATION for the upcoming May 2025 national and local elections, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Mandaue City has completed a thorough inspection of the electrical systems in 271 polling precincts across the city.
BFP-Mandaue Chief Fire Supt. Arnel Abella said the inspections were conducted throughout January, in coordination with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Mandaue office.
The initiative aimed to ensure the safety and security of voters, teachers and election personnel during Election Day.
“Our assessment went smoothly. We did not find any signs of faulty wiring or damaged electrical components,” Abella said.
“We also inspected fire exits to make sure they are accessible and unobstructed in case of an emergency,” he added.
Abella emphasized that fire safety is a top priority, considering the large number of people expected to gather at schools and designated voting centers during Election Day.
The BFP also announced that they will deploy fire trucks, emergency responders and ambulances to key polling areas throughout Mandaue City on Election Day.
These teams will be on standby to immediately respond to any emergencies, including possible fire incidents, medical emergencies, or crowd-related concerns, said Abella.
Instructions
Aside from the electrical checks and fire exit inspections, the BFP also conducted fire safety orientation and drills in selected polling centers to educate staff and school personnel on proper evacuation procedures and the use of fire extinguishers.
Teachers in Mandaue City assigned to polling centers for the elections have been instructed to bring flashlights or other portable light sources as a precaution against potential power outages.
Many schools serving as polling centers do not have generators, making emergency lighting necessary to ensure that voting and ballot counting can proceed without disruption, according to Danilo Gudelusao, Election Task Force coordinator of the Department of Education in Mandaue City. / CAV