essay

1. Firefighters and Community Working together for the
safety of everyone
Catandunganons are naturally born resilient. Being able to
standstill after being devastated by a super typhoon is their know-how.
They are keen on facing typhoons and made their house strong that
would knock even the strongest one. However, a typhoon is far different
from a fire occurrence. Just like what a local once said ‘Mas okay na
mahab-unan kaysa masunugan’.
And everybody would agree to this, for a fire incident, can take
away life and properties in an instant. It can lead to an unimaginable
destruction. In just one blow it can damage one house and another even
if the house is made by the solid concrete wall.
The Bureau of Fire Protection is with us in this predicament. They
are with us in saving lives and properties. They were equipped with
trainings in responding to fire incidents.
They say that prevention is better than cure, and the agency is also
into this goal. Consequently, the month of March was declared as “Fire
prevention Month” and the government agency aside from risking their
lives, they are practically providing people with the best practices to
prevent fire at home. Moreover, they are conducting programs to impart
knowledge to the school. For instance, they are conducting on how to
put out a fire using the fire extinguisher. And last year, they conducted a
TikTok competition in the school to impart best practices in preventing
fire for the youth.
Just recently, our island Catanduanes became trending because of
the tragic fire incident that happened in Concepcion, Virac wherein there
are four casualties. And a month ago, in Bagong Sirang, Baras wherein
there is no casualty, but the owner of the house didn’t hide their dismay
on the response of the firemen. Rumours were speculating around about
the ineligibility of our firemen. Our firemen and the agency became the
subject of sarcasm, and they were caught off guard. But the agency and

2. firemen can’t do it alone. They need the support of the National
government down to Local Government and community.
The undeniable destruction of fire incidents is unimaginable. The
dilemma of being a survivor wherein you must start from scratch or the
trauma of losing your loved ones is beyond doubt. Furthermore, fire
incidents can never be compared to an earthquake. You know when it’s
going to happen. For instance, you tilt a candle in a wood furniture, and
you just ignored the danger of it. It is a total negligence that might lead
to a serious destruction.
That’s why let us not hold the uncontrollable things into our control.
Let’s not create the danger and hold on the little chance of surviving. Our
safety is also in our hand. We should know the risk of our actions. Let us
not allow mistakes put us in danger. Catandunganons must be vigilant
aside from being resilient. Let us not let fire occurrences rob the beauty
and serenity of our lives.