August 25, 2024
A series of fire safety education and awareness seminars were conducted in the four project areas as part of the project on disaster preparedness, primary health care and food security.
The seminars were conducted in Sitio Tierra Dulce, Inayawan on August 10, Sitio Nangka Ville, Quiot, on August 11, Sitio Wang Yu, Mambaling on August 17, and Sitio Lawis, Pasil on August 24. Resource persons were from the Cebu City Fire Station.
The seminars discussed about fire safety followed by demonstration of the use of fire extinguishers. They were donated by the Barangay Councils of the four barangays to the women’s associations who are partners of the VPHCS in the project.
The firemen speakers first gave the contact numbers of the Cebu City Fire Station to the participants. The topics of the seminar started with understanding fire: basics of how fires start, spread and are extinguished, the fire triangle of heat, fuel and oxygen and how it relates to fire prevention.
Since the participants are all living in urban poor settlements, the firemen speakers also pointed out the common causes of fires such as improper storage, leaks, and unsafe usage of butane gas, use of candles, cooking hazards, overloading of electrical wiring, faulty wiring, and misuse of extension cords, and improper storage and improper handling of combustible material. They explained how light and flammable materials which most houses are made of, contribute to rapid fire spread.
They also gave fire prevention strategies, such as the safe use of butane including storage of butane canisters away from heat sources and open flames, keeping canisters upright and in well-ventilated areas, ensuring they are not exposed to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures, always using butane in well-ventilated areas, checking for leaks regularly using soapy water, and never using butane near a flame or in enclosed spaces.
The firemen also talked extensively about electrical safety. People should avoid using substandard or damaged wires and electrical appliances, should not overload electrical outlets, regularly inspect electrical wiring and appliances for signs of wear and tear, and replacing frayed or damaged wires immediately, and to turn off the main power supply in case of an electrical emergency.
There were also discussions on fire prevention measures such as keeping combustible materials away from heat sources, regularly cleaning areas where dust and debris can accumulate, safe cooking practices of never to leave cooking unattended, keeping a bucket of water/sand nearby when cooking, and to dispose of waste properly and avoid burning trash.
They also lectured about responding to a fire: steps to take if one discovers a fire (e.g., alerting others, calling emergency services), safe evacuation procedures (e.g., staying low to avoid smoke, not using elevators), how to assist others, including those with mobility issues or other special needs.
Thus, the seminars and practicum empowered the participants with knowledge and skills on fire safety and prevention.
After the interactive lectures, the firemen resource persons then taught the participants how to use the fire extinguishers. There was an actual practicum where the participants used these equipment on fires that were started with gasoline poured in big tin barrels in the grounds.
