Bacolod steps up fire safety in red zones

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The city government has formalized partnerships with barangays, fire-prone communities and private sector groups to strengthen community safety, especially in more than 300 identified fire-prone or “red zone” areas.

Mayor Greg Gasataya and Fire Insp. Jemarie Tapiru, deputy city fire marshal, signed two memorandums of agreement with key stakeholders during the Fire Response Summit and Adopt-a-Red Zone Area Program at the Bacolod City Government Center on Tuesday.

The first agreement, under the Adopt-a-Red Zone Program, brings together the Bureau of Fire Protection, barangays, fire-prone communities and private sector partners to help reduce risks in more than 300 designated high-risk areas.

The second agreement sets standardized inter-agency coordination and communication protocols aimed at ensuring a unified and efficient emergency response.

Under the strengthened setup, the BFP has established direct coordination with barangays that have fire response capabilities, including Community Fire Auxiliary Groups in Barangays Taculing, Handumanan and Estefania.

These groups are authorized to carry out immediate response actions during fire incidents.

For manageable cases, such as grass fires and other low-risk situations, CFAGs can begin firefighting efforts to contain the blaze quickly while BFP units remain on standby in case the situation worsens.

Barangays without CFAGs have also received training to respond to minor fires using available equipment such as fire extinguishers.

In more serious cases, trained personnel are instructed to coordinate at once with the nearest BFP sub-fire station for professional assistance.

The effort is in line with Fire Prevention Month’s theme, “Sa Pag-iwas sa Sunog, Hindi Ka Nag-iisa!” or “In Preventing Fires, You Are Not Alone!” and is meant to improve coordination and disaster preparedness.

Gasataya said efficient emergency systems are critical, noting that personnel recently completed training for the city’s upcoming 911 hotline system.

He said he expects the system to be operational within the quarter, adding that Bacolod is among the first cities to make such preparations.

The mayor also said the city has acquired three additional ambulances and expanded patient transport services to improve emergency medical response, particularly in high-risk communities.

Tapiru reported that the city recorded 24 fire incidents in January and 11 in February, underscoring the continuing need for proactive fire prevention measures.