BFP Reminds the Public of a Fire-Safe Semana Santa

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) once again reminds the public to be more cautious against fire during the observance of the Lenten Season. BFP particularly gives emphasis on the safety of every household in order to achieve a fire-safe Semana Santa.

Since holy week falls in summer season, the public is reminded to observe fire precautions. Since most of the Filipino families get away from their homes during Holy Week for a vacation or engaging in Semana Santa activities, everyone must observe the importance of practicing fire safety before leaving the house. Make sure to always unplug electrical appliances; switch off the main source of power; do not leave lighted candles, lamps or cigarettes; close LPG valve; and secure flammable/ combustible substances in a safe area. If possible, ask a neighbor or nearby friend/ relative to check your house from time to time.

Since the BFP is on heightened alert for the Holy Week, all its personnel nationwide were directed to prepare to render assistance and response to various emergencies or accidents on highways that may occur at the height of the season.

The BFP Regional, Provincial and City/ Municipal Fire Stations will monitor places in their respective areas from time to time in order to quickly respond to or prevent the possibility of fire incidents.

BFP asks for the full cooperation of the public to make efforts in ensuring the safety of their homes against destructive fires. On the other hand, the agency guarantees the public of its continuous monitoring for the entire duration of the Lenten Season for a solemn and fire-safe holiday.

BFP Opens 1,200 Job Vacancies for Aspiring Firefighters

The Bureau of Fire Protection opens One Thousand Two Hundred (1,200) job vacancies for all Bachelor’s Degree graduates for the Fire Officer 1 (FO1) position.

The positions are open for Filipino residents 21 to 30 years old, physically and mentally fit, 5’2” minimum height for female and 5’4’’ for male, with one or more of the following eligibilities: Career Service Professional, PD 907, RA 1080, Fire Officer Examination or Second Level Eligibility, and willing to undergo Mandatory Training (Fire Basic Recruit Course) for six (6) months, based on Notice of Vacancy, Publication Control No. 2014-004 as of April 04, 2014.

There are currently more than 17,000 BFP personnel nationwide, still a far cry to the ideal 45,000. The Fire Bureau, together with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Civil Service Commission, is taking steps to augment its workforce and to fulfill the standard 1:2000 firefighter-to-population ratio. Highly technical skilled persons are needed among its ranks and the Fire Bureau will train them to easily adopt the mandates of the agency.

Moreover, the recruitment for firefighters will help the country decrease the inflation of unemployment, number of Filipinos who will work abroad, and number of families suffering from poverty. The agency supports the strongest economic recovery, sustains the improvement of Labor market condition, continuous progress toward maximum employment and helps ensure that inflation of employment will remain stable.
The BFP is inviting interested applicants to submit their documents to the Office of the Recruitment and Selection Section, Human Resource Management Division, BFP-National Headquarters or to the nearest BFP Regional Offices. For additional information, please visit the BFP’s official website, www.bfp.gov.ph.

Structural Fire Incidents Decrease during Fire Prevention Month

During this year’s Fire Prevention Month, the Bureau of Fire Protection recorded a decrease in structural fire incidents compared to March of last year. It has been noted that the total number of structural fire actually decreases from 646 last year to 618 this year with at least 4.33% reduction.

Even vehicular fire has lessened from 57 to 42 incidents.

Out of reported 1,727 fire incidents this March 2014, 934 were non-structural fires. The BFP consolidated fire incidents nationwide shows that the number of fire cases was pulled high by enormous number of grass fires recorded reaching up to 767 incidents, 147 rubbish fires and 20 forest fires.

BFP Officer-in-Charge CSUPT CARLITO S ROMERO believes that the decrease in structural fires only proves that fire prevention programs and campaigns are successfully being implemented in the different part of the country, especially in Metro Manila, as reported by the City and Municipal Fire Marshals of the BFP-NCR during a meeting held last March 26 at BFP National Headquarters in Quezon City. Fire Marshals assured that all fire prevention programs are massively and regularly being conducted in their respective areas.

The Fire Bureau aims to drag down the number of fire incidents not just this summer season but for the whole year of 2014.

CSUPT ROMERO is optimistic that through continuous conduct of Barangay Ugnayan and other fire prevention-related programs, fire incidents will be further reduced. BFP will also focus on the intensification of fire safety inspections. Aside from fire prevention lectures in residential areas and shantytowns, BFP plans to boost its awareness campaign against other kinds of destructive fires such as grass and forest fires. Said non-structural fires may cause severe damage to the environment and may endanger its inhabitants.

As discussed during the meeting, the Bureau also plans to collaborate with the manufacturers of electrical products in the country to encourage them to be partners in promoting fire safety. The Fire Marshals are anticipating that this action will eventually continue lessen the number of structural fire incidents nationwide.

Fire Prevention Month is over but the BFP is reminding the public to continue observe fire safety and prevention the whole year round. BFP calls the attention of everybody to observe fire prevention measures and make fire safety a daily habit at home.

Lady Firefighters Bare Firefighting Capability of Rosenbauer Fire Trucks

The lady firefighters of the Bureau of Fire Protection once again performed actual demonstration showcasing the firefighting capability of Rosenbauer Fire Trucks during the Alumni Homecoming of the University of the Philippines Vanguard last Saturday, March 22, 2014 at Sunken Garden, UP Diliman Campus in Quezon City. This was the second performance of the lady firefighters after showing their firefighting competencies in a live demo during the Fire Prevention Month Kick-Off Ceremony last March 1 at Quezon Memorial Circle.

The BFP National Headquarters was invited by the UP Vanguard as their expression of support to the Fire Bureau in the nationwide observance of Fire Prevention Month. The demonstration was one of the activities during the event which caught most of the attention of the UP Vanguard alumni and their guests. The performance was highly applauded by the audience who were amazed with the strength, courage and proficiency revealed by the female firefighters.

Aside from promoting women empowerment and fire prevention, the live demonstration showcased the firefighting capability of Rosenbauer Fire Trucks. The Rosenbauer TLF 4000 Fire Truck is considered as one of the finest and top-of-the line brand of fire trucks that can respond to fire incidents in high rise buildings. It has water cannon that can reach at least 62 meters distance horizontally and 24 meters vertically. It has a higher water pump discharge capacity of 3,000 liters per minute with higher engine power of 240 HP that can fully navigate even highly inclined areas.

A total of 76 Rosenbauer Fire Trucks have already been distributed to cities in the different part of the country. At present, there are still cities and municipalities which are in need of new and quality fire trucks. DILG Secretary Mar Roxas has already confirmed that his department and the BFP will have to procure at least 300 units of the said fire trucks before the end of this year.

UP Vanguard and BFP Jointly Promote Public Safety

The University of the Philippines Vanguard expressed their concern in joining the Bureau of Fire Protection in the promotion of fire safety throughout the country especially this Fire Prevention Month. UP Vanguard invited the Bureau of Fire Protection to promote public safety against fire during their Alumni Homecoming last Saturday, March 22, 2014, at Sunken Garden, UP Diliman Campus in Quezon City.

Showing the Bureau’s gratitude and appreciation to the UP Vanguard, the BFP lady firefighters once again performed actual demonstration displaying the firefighting capability of Rosenbauer Fire Trucks during the event. The live demo which outpoured green and red water from the fire trucks’ cannons signified the Fire Bureau’s salute to the UP Vanguard alumni and to the success of their homecoming.

The presentation was one of the activities during the event which caught most of the attention of the UP Vanguard alumni and their guests. The exhibition was highly applauded especially when performers were revealed as lady firefighters. Everyone in the audience was amazed in disbelief and astounded with the strength, courage and proficiency revealed by the female firefighters. Even the event’s Guest of Honor and Speaker BRIG. GEN. MARCELO B. JAVIER JR., Commander of the AFP 15th Infantry Battalion was overwhelmed with the live demo and congratulated BFP Officer-in-Charge CSUPT CARLITO S ROMERO.

The BFP was also given the opportunity to set-up Fire Safety Booth at the Department of Military Science and Tactics (DMST) Complex exhibiting Emergency Medical Services and Special Rescue Unit equipment, posters and other information materials containing the agency’s profile and capabilities, services, programs and accomplishments.

Aside from showcasing the lady firefighters and the Rosenbauer fire trucks, the said event paved way to the UP Vanguard and the BFP in expressing their mutual interest and commitment of promoting public safety.