Over 350 grade-schoolers in Sorsogon learn life-saving emergency skills

By Benilda Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon --- Over 350 elementary students learned essential emergency survival skills during a life-saving and fire safety roadshow held at a mall in the city.

Organized by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the event aimed to provide these children with practical knowledge on how to respond to emergencies such as fires, floods, and storms.

“Many agencies are involved in this roadshow, allowing the students to gather valuable information on disaster preparedness,” said John Henry Jarabo, a teacher from VIP Learning Center, who accompanied his students to the event.

“The children enjoy the demonstrations and hands-on activities because they are interactive and educational,” he added.

Fire Officer Christine Ducay, BFP spokesperson for Sorsogon, stated that the BFP’s goal is to instill fire safety awareness in individuals from an early age.

“For the past few years, we have been conducting events like this. The purpose is to consolidate all activities in one venue, where children can learn various skills such as fire safety, CPR, and other valuable lessons,” Ducay explained.

She mentioned that this year’s featured activities included bandaging and splinting, familiarization with BFP equipment, CPR, electrical safety, and rappelling.

Several agencies supported the roadshow, including the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), which provided an orientation about its mandate and emphasized the importance of staying informed through credible sources.

PIA representatives also addressed the risks of disinformation during disasters and encouraged students to be cautious of fake news circulating on social media.

A state meteorologist from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration shared insights about weather monitoring and early warning systems.

Meanwhile, a representative from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources engaged students with a fun animal matching game.

The BFP and the Philippine Red Cross conducted practical demonstrations on CPR, first aid, and fire response techniques.

The Philippine National Police highlighted the importance of community safety and situational awareness, introducing the 911 hotline command center for emergencies.

Additionally, soldiers from the Philippine Army discussed significant facts about the West Philippine Sea.

“By bringing these agencies together in one venue, the BFP’s initiative offered students a comprehensive view of disaster preparedness, emphasizing that readiness is not solely the responsibility of one agency, but a shared responsibility of the entire community,” Ducay said. (Bertuldo Jr. Bueza contributed to this report, PIA5/Sorsogon)