(Photo courtesy of PIA)
CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur — Around 300 criminology students from Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC) Candon Campus and NICOSAT College Inc. participated in a fire safety and emergency preparedness roadshow organized by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on October 23.
The Fire Square Roadshow, spearheaded by the BFP Candon City Fire Station, aimed to strengthen students’ awareness of fire prevention, disaster preparedness and emergency response procedures.
The activity focused on practical safety measures, including identifying emergency exits, reporting fire incidents and responding appropriately during emergencies.
Students also participated in hands-on demonstrations designed to develop basic emergency response skills and encourage them to promote safety awareness in their homes and communities.
Several government agencies joined the initiative, including the Philippine Coast Guard, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Philippine Army, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and Philippine National Police.
The participating agencies set up interactive stations featuring emergency response equipment, rescue tools and demonstrations of their respective operational capabilities.
Among the activities were a zero-visibility room simulation, slide-for-life and rappelling exercises, which allowed students to experience some of the challenges encountered by emergency responders.
The exhibits also showcased specialized equipment and uniforms used by public safety personnel, providing participants with information about career opportunities in emergency services and law enforcement.
Fire Superintendent Roxanne Parado, acting provincial fire marshal of Ilocos Sur, said the roadshow was intended to familiarize the public with the BFP’s capabilities and readiness to respond to emergencies.
“We are informing the public about what the Bureau of Fire Protection can do through interactive displays of various equipment for rescue, fire suppression, emergency response, and medical care. The activity is designed to raise overall public awareness regarding our operational readiness and modern equipment,” Parado said.
She explained that firefighters now perform a wider range of responsibilities beyond extinguishing fires, including rescue operations and disaster response.
“The mandate of firefighters is no longer limited to putting out fires, as our responsibilities now include responding to different types of emergencies, calamities, and natural disasters. Through this event, we are demonstrating how public safety personnel collaborate to handle emergency situations effectively,” Parado added.
The event also emphasized the importance of coordination among government agencies and community participation in strengthening disaster preparedness.
Students welcomed the opportunity to learn directly from emergency response professionals and gain practical experience relevant to their chosen field.
ISPSC criminology student Jr Areola said the roadshow helped participants better understand the responsibilities they may encounter in public service.
“It is a pleasure and honor to join this kind of program, especially for us criminology students, as they are showing us how to prepare for the near future. While we study basic life support, law enforcement, and disaster preparedness in our course, it is important to build readiness so that even before becoming full professionals, we are already equipped to help other people,” Areola said.
The BFP expressed appreciation to the Candon City government, participating agencies, educational institutions and community stakeholders for supporting the initiative.
It also encouraged criminology graduates interested in pursuing careers in the fire service to visit their nearest fire stations for information on recruitment and employment opportunities.
