DAGUPAN CITY – A fire drill was staged at the City Hall following the order of Mayor Benjamin S. Lim to cap the celebration of Fire Prevention Month.
 

Old timers at City Hall said it was the first time they joined a fire drill.
 

The said activity initiated by Lim urges the public to cooperate in the city government’s campaign to avoid fire incidents from occurring especially this summer as well as educate the people on what they should do in case a fire disaster occurs.
 

Lim, who led the evaluators and assessment team, enumerates areas of concern to focus on for improvement such as: lack of alarm system, wearing of helmets for identification of floor managers, lack of megaphone, wearing of gas mask, fire escape plan, evacuation plan and the immediate relay of information to nearest hospitals for emergency accommodation of the fire victims.
 

“The fire drill serves as an eye opener for us to identify our lapses in case a fire unexpectedly occurs at the city hall. We will conduct another series of unannounced fire drill exercises to schools, public markets and other similar places to prevent the tremendous damage that fire brings to not only properties but to the innocent lives,” said Lim.
 

Lim added the importance of fire exits to buildings and houses as well as the regular monitoring and checking of electric installations. He also appealed that everybody should work together towards fire prevention as emphasized in this year’s Fire Prevention Month theme: “Pamayanan sama-sama laban sa sunog.”
 

According to Dagupan BFP chief Manuel Manuel, the said fire drill aims to demonstrate how to ensure safety and protect the lives of the employees as well as important records and equipment and other valuable materials inside the office in case of fire.
 

Members of the public order and safety office (POSO), Dagupan Police, SWAT, Red Cross, City Health Office, City Information Office and other city hall departments participated in the sample rescue operation rendered at the Sangguniang Panlungsod where some city hall employees played the role of fire victims. (CIO/Leziel T. Cayabyab)