BACOLOD City — The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)–Bacolod City Fire Station and the Bacolod City government have strengthened their partnership through the signing of key agreements aimed at enhancing fire response and prevention efforts across the city.
The ceremonial signing was held on March 31 at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) lobby during the Fire Response Summit, led by Mayor Greg Gasataya and Deputy City Fire Marshal Inspector Jemarie Tapiru.
The event gathered emergency responders, government agencies, barangay officials, private sector partners, and community organizations, underscoring a unified approach to disaster preparedness.
The summit also echoed this year’s Fire Prevention Month theme: “Sa Pag-iwas sa Sunog, Hindi Ka Nag-iisa!”
A highlight of the activity was the signing of two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) designed to strengthen coordination and community protection.
The first agreement supports the Adopt-a-Red Zone Program, which brings together the BFP, barangays, and private stakeholders to mitigate fire risks in more than 300 identified high-risk or “red zone” areas in the city.
The second MOU establishes standardized inter-agency communication and response protocols to ensure faster and more coordinated emergency action.
In his keynote address, Mayor Gasataya emphasized the importance of preparedness and rapid response systems.
“We have prioritized emergency preparedness through multiple initiatives. Just one week ago, our personnel completed training for the 911 hotline system. In emergency response, every second counts,” he said.
He added that the city is awaiting approval to fully operationalize its 911 emergency hotline within the quarter, positioning Bacolod among the early adopters of the system.
The mayor also cited recent investments in emergency services, including the acquisition of three additional ambulances and the expansion of patient transport services.
Following the summit, the city launched the Adopt-a-Red Zone Community Program, led by the mayor, which included the ceremonial turnover of fire safety equipment to 10 barangays.
Private companies that adopted high-risk communities also distributed fire safety tools and materials, reinforcing public-private collaboration in fire prevention.
As part of strengthened coordination, the BFP established direct communication lines with selected barangays equipped with Community Fire Auxiliary Groups (CFAGs), including Taculing, Handumanan, and Estefania.
These groups are now authorized to conduct initial fire response operations, particularly for manageable incidents such as grass fires, allowing faster containment while awaiting BFP support when needed.
Barangays without CFAG units have also been trained to handle minor fire incidents using basic equipment such as fire extinguishers and to promptly coordinate with the nearest fire stations in case of escalation.
City Fire Marshal Jenny Mae Masip warned of increased fire risks during the dry season, particularly grass fires caused by dry vegetation and human activities.
“At this time of year, open areas become highly susceptible to fire. Many incidents are caused by improperly discarded cigarette butts or unattended burning that can quickly spread due to strong winds,” she said.
Data from the BFP showed that Bacolod recorded 24 fire incidents in January and 11 in February, highlighting the need for sustained vigilance and active community participation./PN
