As a part of the preparation for the Fire Prevention Month on March, MSEUF Health and Safety Office in partnership with Bureau of Fire Protection and Lucena-DRRMO conducted a fire brigade training and disaster awareness seminar with theme “Envergan, Ligtas sa Kapahamakan” at EMRC VI, AEC Building, Feb. 22.
In his welcoming message, Mr. Dario R. Opistan, Vice President for Administration, said that one of the university’s priority programs is directed to health and safety.
He also talked about how Philippines is prone to earthquakes and why is it important to be part of disaster prepared team.
Opistan also narrated his first-hand experiences about a fire incident years ago, how he applied what he learn when it comes to preparedness of unexpected events like this, and highlighted the importance of conducting seminar regarding disaster awareness.
Selected students from respective departments, faculties, executive officers are among the participants who attended the whole day seminar divided into two sessions: morning and afternoon.
Mr. Arby S. Lagman, Health and Safety Officer, started the event discussing the roles and responsibilities of the University Disaster and Emergency Response Team (UDERT) followed by Fire Officer 3 Jan Vincent R. Alba and other team members from Bureau of Fire Protection-Lucena.
Leo Constantino, Head of Disaster Officer 1 and member of Lucena Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, also discussed the geographic location of Lucena and its advantages during the seminar.
Meanwhile, Fire Officer 3 Armie Grazela Oxina, Chief Emergency Medical Section, answered about the common questions related to fire incidents, equipment, fire safety plan, firefighting principles, and proper use of personal protective equipment.
Afterwards, Alba discussed the fire brigade organization, fire drill operation and orientation about the earthquake drill saying that even though the drill is part of simulation and scripted, everyone must take it seriously when it comes to times of emergency, people won’t cause panic because they are aware of what to do.
“First, just be familiarize with basic symbols and we need 100% participation not only students, faculty but everybody.
Just follow instructions, teachers and cooperate. Wag lalaro-laro. Even this just a drill we have to take it seriously,” he advised.
After the seminar, the attendees went down to the AEC grounds and fire officers demonstrated on how to close a burning LPG using a wet cloth and to use fire extinguisher to kill the flames where faculties, students, and others get to experience it as well.
The demonstration was followed by Sir Arby who discussed the execution of upcoming university-wide fire and earthquake drill on Friday which involves everyone to participate.
