Bureau of Fire Protection

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Bureau of Fire Protection
Kawanihan ng Pagtatanggol sa Sunog
Bureau of Fire Protection.png
"Save Lives and Properties"
Operational area
CountryPhilippines
Agency overview
EstablishedJanuary 29, 1991
Employees25,000 (2019 estimate) [1]
Annual budget₱25.54 billion (2021)[2]
Fire chiefFDIR. Louie S. Puracan, CEO VI
Facilities and equipment
Stations51 (cities), 597 (municipalities) (2018)[3]
Trucks2,683 (2018)[3]
Website
http://bfp.gov.ph/

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP; Filipino: Kawanihan ng Pagtatanggol sa Sunog[4]) is the government body in the Philippines responsible for the provision of fire services. It is under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Functions and duties[]

The BFP is responsible for ensuring public safety through the prevention or suppression of all destructive fires on buildings, houses, and other similar structure, forests, and land transportation vehicles and equipment, ships/vessels docked at piers, wharves or anchored at major seaports, petroleum industry installations. It is also responsible for the enforcement of the Fire Code of the Philippines (PD 1185) and other related laws, conduct investigations involving fire incidents and causes thereof including the filing of appropriate complaints/cases.[5]

According to its website, the primary functions of the BFP are[6]

  • Prevention and suppression of all destructive fires;
  • Enforcement of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (RIRR) of the Republic Act No. 9514 otherwise known as the Fire Code of the Philippines (PD 1185) and other related laws;
  • Investigate the causes of fires and if necessary, file a complaint to the city or provincial prosecutor relating to the case;
  • In events of national emergency, will assist the military on the orders of the President of the Philippines;
  • And establish at least one fire station with all personnel and equipment per municipality and provincial capital.

History[]

Bureau of Fire Protection National headquarters along Agham Road in Quezon City

The BFP was formed from the units of the Integrated National Police's Office of Fire Protection Service on January 29, 1991 through Republic Act No. 6975, which created the present Interior Department and placed the provision of fire services under its control.[7]

Republic Act No. 6975, or the Department of Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, took effect on January 1, 1991 and paved the way for the establishment of the Philippine National Police, BFP and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology as separate entities. Specifically, the Fire Bureau’s charter was created under Chapter IV (Section 53 to 59) and carried-out through the provisions of Rule VII (Sections 49 to 58) of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the act. The organization was then placed under the direct supervision of the DILG undersecretary for peace and order. The Appropriation Act of 1991 also caused the inaugural operation of the BFP on August 2, 1991 as a distinct agency of the government, with the initial preparation of its operation plans and budget (OPB) undertaken by the staff of the Office of the National Chief Fire Marshal at Camp Crame, Quezon City headed by F/Brigadier General Ernesto Madriaga, INP (1990–1992), which took over from the long reign of F/Major Primo D. Cordeta (Ret.), the first chief fire marshal (1978–1989). Madriaga served as the BFP's first acting fire chief/director from 1991 to 1992.

In 2021, Republic Act No.11589, or the BFP Modernization Act, was enacted into law, mandating the implementation of a ten year program to modernize the BFP.[8][9] The law also enabled the creation of security and protection units (SPUs) in each regional and city fire station and allowed 14 members at most per SPU to bare firearms.[10]

Organization[]

The BFP has a National Headquarters, a Special Rescue/HAZMAT Unit, an Emergency Medical Services, a Special Operations Unit. an Arson Investigation Unit, the Fire Law Enforcement Service, and the Fire National Training Institute.

Each region in the Philippines has its own BFP fire region, headed by a person with the rank of fire chief superintendent (fire brigadier general) or fire senior superintendent (fire colonel).

National Headquarters[]

  • Office of the Chief, BFP
  • Office of the Deputy Chief for Administration
  • Office of the Deputy Chief for Operations
  • BFP Directorial Staff

Directorial Staff[]

  • Directorate for Intelligence and Investigation
  • Directorate for Operations
  • Directorate for Plans and Standard Development
  • Directorate for Comptrollership
  • Directorate for Fire Safety Enforcement
  • Directorate for Logistics
  • Directorate for Personnel and Records Management
  • Directorate for Information and Communications Management
  • Directorate for Human Resource Development

Leadership[]

  • Commander-in-Chief: Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte
  • Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG): Sec. Eduardo M. Año
    • Undersecretary for Public Safety: Usec. Nestor F. Quinsay Jr.
  • Chief, Bureau of Fire Protection (C, BFP): Fire Dir. Louie S. Puracan, CEO VI
  • The Deputy Chief for Administration (TDCA): FCSUPT. Roel Jeremy G. Diaz
  • The Deputy Chief for Operations (TDCO): FCSUPT. Wilberto Rico Neil A. Kwan Tiu
  • Chief, Bureau of Fire Protection Directorial Staff (TCDS): FCSUPT. Jesus P. Fernandez

Commissioned officers[]

As of 2021, BFP ranks are equivalent to those in the army.

  • Fire Director (Major General)
  • Fire Chief Superintendent (Brigadier General)
  • Fire Senior Superintendent (Colonel)
  • Fire Superintendent (Lieutenant Colonel)
  • Fire Chief Inspector (Major)
  • Fire Senior Inspector (Captain)
  • Fire Inspector (1st Lieutenant)

Non-commissioned officers[]

  • Senior Fire Officer IV (Executive Master Sergeant)
  • Senior Fire Officer III (Chief Master Sergeant)
  • Senior Fire Officer II (Master Sergeant)
  • Senior Fire Officer I (Technical Sergeant)
  • Fire Officer III (Staff Sergeant)
  • Fire Officer II (Sergeant)
  • Fire Officer I (Corporal)
  • Fire Officer (Private/Firefigther)

Non-Uniformed Personnel refers to all BFP civilian personnel and employees having no rank. Civil service employees carry their civil service grade.

Equipment[]

The bureau provides fire appliances depending on the jurisdiction's capabilities. Each city and municipality in the Philippines have one or more fire appliances to serve.

This incomplete list is frequently updated to include new information.
Photos Model Origin Type Note
CaloocanNavotasMalabonjf9946 13.JPG Isuzu Forward  Japan Medium Fire engine New Euro 4 variant was procured under Duterte Administration.
BFP Isuzu Giga Aerial Ladder Fire Truck.jpg Isuzu Giga  Japan Heavy Fire engine New Euro 4 variant was procured under Duterte Administration.
MAN TGM 18.250.jpg MAN TGM 18.250 Rosenbauer TLF 4000  Austria Heavy Fire engine Procured under the Aquino Administration. used in Highly-Urbanized Cities
Pierce Dash 100  United States Aerial Fire engine Acquired under Quezon City Government
Hino Ranger Fire Truck donated by Japan.jpg Hino Ranger  Japan Medium Fire engine
Zambalesjf1234 41.JPG 1982 Ford Roughneck F800  United States Medium Fire engine Procured during 1980's under the Marcos Administration. used in municipalities.
Jalajala,RizalTownHalljf0827 12.JPG Hyundai HD120  South Korea Medium Fire engine
Dongfeng Hubei 4x2 Fire Engine.jpg Dongfeng Hubei 4x2  China Medium Fire engine Procured under the Aquino Administration. used in municipalities
FvfSampaloc9865 01.JPG Isuzu NDR  Japan Light Fire engine

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Tupas, Emmanuel. "50% of firefighters don't have complete protective gear – BFP". philstar.com.
  2. ^ https://www.dbm.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/GAA/GAA2021/TechGAA2021/DILG/B.pdf
  3. ^ a b Mayuga, Jonathan L. (March 21, 2018). "Tragedy of fires: Death and destruction in the Philippines | Jonathan L. Mayuga". BusinessMirror.
  4. ^ "Remarks of Gen Eduardo M Ano (Ret) OIC, DILG – Fire Service Convention Davao" (PDF). Davao City: Department of Interior and Local Government. June 8, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  5. ^ "History of BFP". Bureau of Fire Protection – Region 1. Retrieved October 9, 2020. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. ^ "Mandates and functions". bfp.gov.ph. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  7. ^ "R.A. 6975". lawphil.net.
  8. ^ Caliwan, Christopher Lloyd (September 12, 2021). "New law to help BFP go beyond traditional firefighting role". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  9. ^ Ismael, Javier Joe (September 12, 2021). "BFP modernization law enactment lauded". The Manila Times. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  10. ^ Chavez, Chito (September 12, 2021). "Año says arming firefighters will expand their role during emergency, critical times". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved September 14, 2021.

External links[]

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