By LITO RULONA
Correspondent
City Councilor Edna Dahino urges all business establishments employing at least 50 persons to organize their respective fire brigades to help augment the number of fire fighters under Cagayan de Oro Fire Districts (COFD).
“With the volunteers, we can quickly respond, protect lives and properties. Pinaagi usab sa pagpakabana sa atong mga fire brigades, dako na kini og ikatabang sa atong fire department nga limitado lang ang ilang kadaghanon,” Dahino said.
Councilor Dahino is the chair of the committee on trade and commerce and a member of the committee on police, fire and public safety.
Dahino said her call is based under the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Section 6.0.2.1 of Republic Act 9514, otherwise known as, “An Act Establishing A Comprehensive Fire Code of the Philippines, Repealing Presidential Decree No. 1185 or the Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008.”
“Aside from being a requirement before the granting of Fire Safety Inspection Certificate, the group of volunteers will be of great help in dealing with fire and other related emergencies that may occur in its establishment or nearby areas,” she said.
Under the law, all members of the fire brigade shall undergo training from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical services and related emergency response.
The law also provides that BFP shall support and assist fire volunteers, practitioners and fire volunteer organizations in the country who shall undergo mandatory fire suppression, inspection, rescue, emergency medical services and related emergency response trainings and competency evaluations to be conducted by the BFP.
In the case of the Fire fighters, they shall undergo mandatory continuous professional education and competency evaluation of their expertise, knowledge and skills in the area of fire science, engineering and technology to be conducted by the BFP.
The BFP may enter into external party agreements for the conduct of training, education and evaluation of fire volunteers, practitioners and fire volunteer organizations, which shall be under the full control and supervision of the BFP: Provided, however, That during firefighting operations, fire volunteer organizations shall be under the direct operational control of the fire ground commanders of the BFP.
Dahino also lauded the firefighters led by Supt.Teleron for organizing and reactivating 39 fire volunteer brigades and training 1,141 volunteer fire brigades since last April.
She also enjoins all barangays and schools to coordinate with their respective fire stations for the activation of their fire volunteer brigades.
In her accomplishment report submitted to the City Council committee on police, fire and public safety, District Fire Marshal Teleron said that for the month of April, 44 fire drills and 46 lectures and seminars were conducted. The agency also responded to 64 fire emergency calls.
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