Fire Prevention Month is observed annually as mandated pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No 115-A signed by then His Excellency Ferdinand E. Marcos on November 17, 1966 proclaiming the year 1967 and every year thereafter as Safety and Accident Prevention Year.

In line with the aforesaid proclamation, each month of the year is devoted to a particular aspect of safety and accident prevention thereby declaring March as the “Fire Prevention Month”.

The opening ceremonies started at 5 a.m. (yes- a.m.) and GlobalFire were invited guests. During the ceremony the GlobalFire team were given a certificate recognizing our participation.

The walk was attended by several hundred people and took us through the streets of Tacloban. We got to see the damage up close. We could see the businesses still boarded up, the houses damaged beyond repair but families still living in them and lives changed forever.

Upon return to the fire station there was a mass and breakfast.

We were able to get a overview of the BFP by SFO4 Ponciano C Sabalza. It was a very informative session.

After the overview GlobalFire took part in the motorcade. Approximately 10 vehicles took part including BFP fire apparatus, Philippine Red Cross, Chinese Volunteer Fire Fighters and a disaster relief team. The motorcade went all through Tacloban with sirens sounding for about 90 minutes.