Fire Officer Vallejo Keeps the Fire Burning This Women’s Month

By virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 115-A and Proclamation No. 227 s. 1988, the month of March was declared as Fire Prevention Month and Women’s Month, respectively. The former’s declaration is due to the alarming increase of fire incidents happening across the country especially during the month March, while the latter is to give due recognition of the contributions of Filipino women in society.

But who would have thought that when we speak of these two observances, we would refer to a lady fire officer who considers leadership as critical element to be able to initiate and effect change in the fire department.

In a fast-changing world, women have taken over the helm of almost any field.  For one, in Cauayan City, Fire Chief Inspector Joanne Vallejo took the challenge of transforming the image of the Bureau of Fire and Protection in the city from one that is drab into a more functional fire office.

She never regretted leading her fellow firefighters. “It’s a challenging job. As a graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), it is an opportunity for me to showcase my ability to lead,” she said.

When she assumed office at BFP Cauayan City, there was only one fire truck with several firemen. Today, three more fire trucks were acquired aside from the donations from volunteer brigades in the city.

Donations did not come with just a flick of a finger. She had to coordinate with the city government and the business sector. “Mas madali ang trabaho kung nagtutulungan ang bawat isa sa pagsugpo ng mapaminsalang sunog,” she said.

Vallejo said, truly fire prevention is better than fire suppression. Therefore, she and her staff conduct continuous lectures on fire prevention in symposia and other information and education campaign. She said discussions during such events include the highlight on the salient provisions of the Fire Code of the Philippines.

“Our IEC campaigns always include fire drills in schools, offices, business establishments and in the barangays because we have to prepare residents in case fire breaks out,” she said.

Her dedication to service as the city fire marshall led to her office’s receiving numerous awards, commendations and appreciations. These include Best City Marshall in 2015 and the region’s Best Senior Fire Officer in 2016.

As her contribution in the promotion of gender equality, she gives lectures on gender and development for students, teachers and personnel of the different schools in the city. All of these she does because she believes that everyone, whether male or female, has the right to equal opportunities to achieve a full and gratifying life.

Given that women are usually at a disadvantaged position in workplaces compared to men, she said promotion of gender equality requires explicit attention to women’s needs and idiosyncrasies.

She recognizes that there are significant negative effects of unequal power relations and expectations of men and boys due to stereotyping about what it means to be a male. Through her lectures, she emphasizes that everyone should be free to develop his or her abilities and make choices – without limitations set by rigid gender roles and prejudices – based on personal interests and capacities.

Vallejo believes that one of the keys to the attainment of goals and objectives of the office is to value the dedication of everyone’s work.

F/CI Joanne Vallejo has done a lot of things to make the Cauayan City Fire Station as healthy workplace. She has caused the beautification of the station’s premises including its every corner. With the assistance provided by the city government, the fire station office is now considered one of the best fire stations regionwide.

Aside from beautifying the BFP – Cauayan City office, she was instrumental in the acquisition of additional to serve Cauayeños as she maintained good rapport with the city government and partner-agencies.

In all, her lectures and presentations, Vallejo never failed to encourage all sectors, the women organizations in particular, to participate in developmental activities in their communities.

To her, women and men are partners in development and nation-building even in male-dominated organization.

Today, Vallejo is assigned at the BFP Central Office as chief of the Public Information Section. (PSL/MDCT/MGE)