The Municipality of E. B. Magalona has created its Community Fire Auxiliary Group (CFAG) in all of its 23 barangays to serve as first responders during fire incidents.

Mayor Marvin Malacon led the creation and launching of the CFAG at the Public Plaza Tuesday [August 1], with ongoing daily trainings of barangay team members also at the Public Plaza.

In his message, Malacon said each barangay should have the capability as first responders to fire incidents, emergencies, and other hazards, and the creation of CFAG here will strengthen their capabilities.

Established under the BAYANIHAN Program, CFAG is a neighborhood-based organization anchored on the Filipino “bayanihan” concept of communal unity, work, and cooperation to achieve a particular goal.

Its main responsibilities are (1) responding to localized fire incidents while BFP responding teams are in transit, and (2) promoting community safety through activities guided by the BFP.

It is a structured organization of volunteers, composed of local residents, clustered by sitio/ purok neighborhood blocks or by number of households in every barangay.

The CFAG training is a collaboration of various agencies including the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Spearheading the ongoing training at the municipal level at the E. B. Magalona Public Plaza are the Municipal Fire Station, Municipal Police Station, MSWD, and MDRRMO.

Attending the training are officials and representatives of all the 23 barangays of the Municipality.

Topics in the training are: fire safety tips, how to suppress fire (phases of fire-fighting, hose-rolling and throwing, familiarization of fire extinguisher), roles of CFAG members during fire-fighting operations, demonstration of proper wearing of PPE (personal protective equipment) and SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus), first-aid, basic concepts on DRRM, camp management and reporting, first responders' crowd control and traffic management, and simulation exercises.

SFO2 Marc Stephen Trajeras, acting fire marshal of the Municipal Fire Station, said several members of the CFAG will serve as fire brigade members, especially in areas that are isolated or far from the fire stations.

The trained first responders are necessary to help minimize the losses to lives and properties, in case of fire incidents, he added.*

E. B. MAGALONA PIO
Photos from PIO, DRRMO, and BFP