PILI, Camarines Sur, April 21 (PIA) --- In compliance with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memo Circular No. 2015-04 issued to all City and Municipal Fire Marshals in the country, Insp. Maria Simona B. Cemitara, Pili Fire Station Officer-in-Charge engaged her team to an intensified campaign against establishments keeping or storing combustible materials in their warehouses.
The directive is also in consonance with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9514 or the Revised Fire Code of 2008, particularly Section 10.3.4.1.3 particularly identifying combustible commodities like solvents, thinners, cleaners, adhesives, paints, waxes and polishes among others.
The directive further states that violation of such and the continued proliferation of businessmen allowing combustible materials to be illegally kept in unsafe storages puts the safety of the fire fighters, including the lives of the community at stake.
Cemitara stated that her team is well aware of the instruction and is now intensifying their inspection on establishments, including the monitoring and checking of necessary permits for such purpose.
“Those who will be found violating the pertinent provisions of the Fire Code will have their corresponding penalties. Owners found violating the existing regulations will be closed down immediately and of course those people behind it will receive the force of law, Cemitara added.
The entire Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Pili Fire Station men and women are well aware that fire strikes at the most unholy and unpredictable hours, making themselves fire-ready and alert at all times.
“We never stopped reminding the members of the community to be vigilant and keep away from things that would ignite any fire either in their homes or in their surroundings. We do that through the conduct of various fire drills in the community, particularly in schools and other establishments within Pili.”
Aside from their visibility in the area, Cemitara also sees to it that her men are physically-able to respond to any fire call through the regular conduct of physical activities every Friday to strengthen their body and to prevent diseases caused by sedentary lifestyle. They are also joining other sports activity like the inter-barangay summer basketball tournament and upgrading their skills through seminars and similar endeavors.
During March’s observance of the Fire Prevention Month, BFP-Pili Fire Station conducted Fire Olympics for Barangay Volunteer as a culminating activity for its month long celebration. The competition was participated in by 8 out of 26 barangays in Pili, namely; Cadlan, San Juan, Anayan, Sagrada, Caroyroyan, Binanuaanan, San Jose and Old San Roque. (LSMacatangay, PIAV/Camarines Sur)