BFP to deploy 1,000 personnel for Undas 2023

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) will deploy around 1,000 personnel in 66 cemeteries in Metro Manila for the observance of All Saints’ Day or Undas, the Presidential Communications Office said Saturday.

According to the Palace, BFP-National Capital Region Assistant Regional Director Senior Superintendent Rodrigo Reyes said that the bureau recognizes the need for an emergency response system in place as there will be an influx of people visiting cemeteries.

Reyes said that they have a First Aid Service Team deployed in cemeteries, ready to provide medical assistance to the people.

“Mayroon po tayong mga EMS [emergency medical service] po sa bawat sementeryo ngayon na, in case may nahilo o may na-high blood, mayroon po tayong agad na personnel po sa 66 identified cemeteries po,” he said.

(We have EMS in every cemetery so that in case someone gets dizzy or gets high blood pressure, we have personnel ready in 66 identified cemeteries.)

Reyes also said that their teams are equipped with the necessary medical backgrounds and training as they are nurses, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics.

Aside from being the first responders during emergencies, he said that BFP also conducts the “Oplan Ligtas Pamayanan,” an information dissemination campaign seeking to minimize fire incidents in the country.

The BFP also advised families who would opt to light candles within their homes for Undas to place them in a secured area outside, instead of leaving them lit indoors, to avoid fire incidents.

“Ang aming pagpapaalala po sa ating mga kababayan na kung maglalagay po ng kandila sa panahon ng Undas, better po na sa labas na lang po ng bahay na nakalagay po sa stainless na lalagyan na may kasamang tubig na po,” Reyes said.

(Our reminder to our fellow citizens is if they are going to light candles this Undas, it is better to put them outside their homes, in a stainless container with water.)

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