"Heart of Flame: In the service of the people"

The International Fire Prevention Day is commemorated every October which aims to raise awareness about the possible upshots of Fire and the ways to prevent it from happening. This also entails the stories of our flaming heroes and as to how they extinguish the fires in their life.

These firefighters are shaped to deal with their responsibilities with a whole heart and the strength and perseverance involved in their job are enormous. By which, these qualities are being represented by Dumanjug's Municipal Fire Marshal, INSP Rex Harrison L. Florida. Let's get to know him more!

INSP. Florida use to work at the Provincial Engineering Office after getting a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of San Jose- Recoletos. Working there, he realized that being an employee under the national government is more beneficial so he then applied for the position as Fire Officer 1 and officially became part of the Bureau of Fire Protection in 1993.

He was first assigned in Mandaue City for three consecutive years but was reassigned in neighboring towns in 2013 until 2018, where he became part of the Cebu Fire Station, Carcar Fire Station, Regional Logistics Office, Argao Fire Station. He started his voyage being designated as the Municipal Fire Marshal in the Municipality of Dumanjug in 2018 up until this date.

In his 27 years of rendering service in BFP, INSP Florida noted that the greatest work-related challenge he has faced was a fire at Bambi Edible Oil Company in 1995 that lasted a week. They were obliged to camp near the site just to make sure everything is safe and to fully put out the fire.

His journey of being a firefighter wasn't a bed of roses. His wife passed away last 2011 so he had to raise his three children alone after that incident. After his children lost one parent, he could not afford seeing them lose another one.

So he made these offsprings an inspiration to be dedicated in his job and to make sure to come home safely after every operation.

"Everyday is a fire prevention day," he advised the public. Furthermore, he reminded everyone to always be vigilant considering the merciless aftermath of fire that can take away not only material object but also a people's life.

On this International Fire Prevention Day 2020, let us give praises to our brave fire fighting heroes and express our gratitude for their immeasurable sacrifices.

Words by Farren Rose Abero

Photo retrieved from the Bureau of Fire- Dumanjug