The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has forged ties with the Department of Education (DepEd) to raise fire safety awareness among schoolchildren in Eastern Visayas.

The signing of an agreement between the two agencies is part of the launch of “Batang Bumberong Mag-aaral” (BBM), a project that will bring fire safety campaign to all campuses in the region.

“This aims to educate elementary and high school students by including fire safety information in school disaster risk reduction management activities and in their subjects. This will stir up the desire of kids to learn more about fire safety,” said Chief Supt. Adel Bautista, BFP 8 (Eastern Visayas) director during the launch Tuesday at the Eastern Visayas State University campus here.

DepEd Eastern Visayas assistant regional director Bebiano Sentillas said the project will strengthen the partnership of BFP and the academic sector in the region in terms of fire hazard awareness.

“The best strategy to prevent fire is to educate people. Without education, we cannot motivate people to commit to fire safety. This is timely and relevant since we are back to five days in-person classes,” Sentillas told officials and schoolchildren.

The two agencies agreed to create a strategy to create fire-safe schools in the region and strengthen partnerships against destructive fires.

The project will produce and distribute audio and visual information materials.

The BBM launch is one of the Fire Prevention Month activities in the region.

The BFP prepared various activities for a monthlong observance of Fire Prevention Month.

These activities will reinforce fire safety awareness and strengthen the bureau’s community relations with the general public.

These activities highlight the observance of Fire Prevention Month 2023 with its theme “Sa Pag-iwas sa Sunog, Hindi Ka Nag-iisa”. (PNA)