TXTFire: Making every day a Fire Prevention Day

Reporting a fire is just a text away, now that TXTFire Philippines Foundation, Inc. is utilizing text messaging and social media to receive and disseminate fire alerts.

 

In a TwEat Up of bloggers and news writers held earlier this year in Binondo, TXTFire founder and president Gerry Chua let us in on the volunteer firefighter group's operations. 

 

The idea of TXTFire came to the third-generation Eng Bee Tin owner and volunteer firefighter when he was able to help a friend save his family from a fire incident because he group-texted a fire alert. Chua, nicknamed "Mr. Ube" for popularizing Eng Bee Tin's ube-flavored hopia, was determined to widen his reach through text since then. 

 

Presently, TXTFire's SMS Dispatcher Server has over 80 modems that can send up to 1,000 messages per minute, making it possible for firefighters to respond to fire alerts in a matter of seconds. TXTFire works closely with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and 145 other firefighting groups. The dispatcher of this non-profit organization has over 296,000 members.

 

Here are some fire prevention and safety tips as well as useful information from TXTFire now that Fire Prevention Month is in full swing this March.

The fire triangle

Fires occur because of a chemical reaction among three components: fuel, heat and oxygen. Fuels are combustible materials like paper, wood, plastic, rubber, oil, to name a few. If it comes in contact with a source of ignition (match, cigarette, lighters and such) and has enough oxygen from the atmosphere, fire is produced.

 

The smoke, heat and poisonous gases emitted by fires may cause suffocation, physical injuries and can lead to death.

 

It is therefore advisable to keep the three from coming together to reduce the risk of a fire occurring. One way to illustrate this is in a kitchen scenario -- when a pan catches fire. The common misconception on how to stop the fire is for one to throw water over it, but this only causes it to inflame. Instead, one must turn off the heat and cut off the oxygen supply by putting a lid or damp towel over the pan. The missing components will cause the fire to eventually die down.

 

Say 'no' to fire

One of TXTFire's missions is to make every day a Fire Prevention Day. Anyone can do this by following these simple tips.  

 

Make sure all of your family members/ colleagues are well-informed Conduct fire drills in your home/ office and make an escape plan. Agree on a meeting place outside of the house/ building if evacuation is necessary. Ensure that everyone can recognize the sound of the fire alarm.  Prioritize fire safety device installment and maintenance Check monthly if your smoke alarms are working. Note that these detectors should be installed on the highest part of every level of your home to determine just how grave the fire has become. Change old electrical wires at home as they can also ignite Be alert and take necessary precautions Make sure fire exits are open/ easy to open in your home/ workplace. Keep a list of emergency numbers handy. Don't leave candles/ lit cigarettes unattended. Sleep with the bedroom doors closed as this will prevent smoke from coming inside the room and reduce the risk of suffocation.

 

Surviving a fire

If you do find yourself having to face a huge fire, do not panic. Sound the alarm or shout and get out of the burning house/ building immediately. Report the fire by calling (or texting) firefighting groups. TXTFire shares some survival tips in case one is trapped indoors during a fire.

 

 

Test doors before opening them. If the knob is hot, use alternative exits

One can use windows as alternative escape routes. If they're too high from the ground, wait for firefighters to arrive with ladders. Another option is to tie bed sheets together to make a rope and climb down. It is also not advisable to use elevators when there is fire.

 

Crawl low under smoke

A TXTFire volunteer explained that there is more oxygen at the bottom of a smoky room because it is denser than other gases emitted in fires. It is thus safer to crawl 12 inches to 2 feet from the ground towards an exit.

 

If your clothes catch fire, remember to stop, drop and roll

Following the logic behind the triangle of fire, it is important to cut off the oxygen supply that keeps the fire burning. Running around with clothes on fire will inflame it all the more. Instead, one must roll over to smother the flames and cover the face while doing so.

 

 

TXTFire may be reached through their hotline: 561-11-11

To report a fire, simply text REPORT (space) EXACT LOCATION 

To register, text REG (space) FULL NAME (space) ADDRESS

To receive fire alerts, text FIRE

Send to 0918-6-8888 (Smart), 0922-6-8888 (Sun) or 0916-4-8888 (Globe)

Website: http://txtfire.net/

Facebook: Txtfire Twitter: @txtfire

— TJD, GMA News