The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has deployed personnel of its Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to about 66 cemeteries in Metro Manila, as part of government preparations for the “Undas” exodus.

BFP – National Capital Region Assistant Director, Senior Supt. Rodrigo Reyes, said the deployment of and shifting schedule of about 1,000 BFP personnel until Nov. 2 was in line with the directive of the bureau’s regional director, Fire Chief Superintendent Nahum Tarroza.

“Mayroon po tayong mga EMS 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 (We now have an EMS in every cemetery so that in case someone faints or has high blood pressure, we immediately have personnel to aid them in 66 identified cemeteries),” Reyes said in a weekly forum in Quezon City.

“Shifting po kami ‘no. So 1,000 isang araw, 1,000 sa isang araw. Actually, wala po kaming break, wala po kaming bakasyon (We are on shifts – 1,000 personnel are deployed on one day, and another 1,000 the following day. We don’t have a break or vacation).”

He said the BFP also deployed its office personnel, as it formed an Emergency Operation Center in Barangay Pinagkaisahan in Makati City.

He also noted that for the first time, the bureau also stationed its motorcycle ambulances, a prototype that could provide fast transport for emergency medical services, in different parts of Metro Manila.

“Naka-deploy po ito, sir, 24/7 po, along the road. Naka-station po sila in case na may mga vehicular incident, madali po silang matatakbuhan ng atin pong motorcycle ambulance (They are deployed along the road 24/7. They are stationed so we could transport anyone involved in a vehicular incident through the motorcycle ambulance),” Reyes said.

He assured the public that these BFP personnel are “highly trained,” noting that some of them are registered nurses and all of them underwent a series of basic rescue training.

Observe safety protocols

Reyes reminded the public to observe fire safety by switching off the electricity and cooking stoves before leaving their homes to visit cemeteries.

He also advised them to light their candles outside their home.

“Pinapaalalahanan po namin sila na in case na aalis po ang pamilya po sa bahay, make sure na iyong kanilang breaker po, patayin po nila; ‘yung kanilang LPG tank, make sure na wala po siyang singaw (We remind the public that in case the family leaves the house, make sure the circuit breaker is turned off and the LPG tank has no leak),” Reyes said.

“Kung magtitirik man po sana sila ng kandila ngayong panahon ng Undas, huwag na po nating ilagay ito sa altar. Kung puwede po, sa labas na lang po ng bahay at kumbaga nakalagay po siya sa isang secured na lalagyan po. Kunwari palanggana na stainless na may tubig po (If they are going to light a candle this Undas season, it should be on the altar or it would be better to put it outside the house in a secure container, such as a stainless basin with water).” (PNA)