by Ahikam Pasion
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Regional Office 1 has urged the public to immediately report fire incidents instead of prioritizing recording videos, stressing that every second is critical in emergency response.
In an interview, Fire Senior Inspector Arlyn G. Diwag, chief of the Community Relations Section of BFP Region 1, emphasized the need for prompt coordination with authorities to prevent fires from worsening.
Diwag said that while documenting incidents has become common, alerting responders without delay is more important to ensure faster action.
The BFP also underscored the importance of safety and presence of mind during emergencies. The public was advised to remain calm and quickly identify exit routes in case of fire.
Diwag added that individuals should stay low to the ground to avoid inhaling thick smoke.
The agency also warned against the use of “octopus connections,” or plugging multiple appliances into a single outlet, as this can trigger fires.
The public was further advised to avoid buying substandard electrical appliances and to ensure that products carry the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) mark.
As part of fire preparedness, the BFP reiterated the proper use of a fire extinguisher using the TPASS method—Twist, Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep—while maintaining a distance of six to eight feet from the fire.
According to the BFP, while responders aim to arrive within seven minutes, a fire can double in size every 30 seconds. Authorities stressed that immediate reporting and prioritizing safety over recording videos can help save lives.