Red Cross on full alert for f?ires

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has placed on 24/7 standby firefighters and fire trucks, along with water tankers and ambulances for deployment at the scene of fires.

In a statement, PRC chairman Richard Gordon said more fires are expected to occur this month, Fire Prevention Month.

“Red Cross is the only national society among the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement with a fire department that allows us to immediately respond to fire incidents,” he said.

The PRC is also the only national society in the world capable of responding to urban search and rescue, he added.

Secretary-general Gwendolyn Pang said the PRC had responded to 32 fires all over Metro Manila and neighboring provinces since the year started.

“Our fire response teams are usually partnered with emergency medical teams when responding to fire incidents to better provide assistance to individuals affected,” she said.

Gordon said fires can be prevented through good housekeeping: keeping matches out of reach of children and placing lighted candles and oil or gas lamps away from curtains or flammable materials.

Lighted candles must not be left unattended, he added.

Gordon also advised the public to regularly check electric installations and have a licensed electrician change or repair threadbare wiring and electrical equipment.

“Make sure there is no gas leak inside your house,” he said. “If you smell gas, do not light a candle or matchsticks and immediately open all doors and windows to allow gas air to escape.”

The PRC also provides hot meals, food and non-food items and psychosocial support to displaced families in evacuation centers.

Based on records of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), 23 fires have occurred nationwide from March 1-3, including one that gutted a residential area at Parola Compound in Tondo, Manila.

Since January, the BFP reported a total of 2,277 fires across the country.