Gordon recognizes vital role of Filipino firefighters, says they should be provided with proper training and equipment

Senator Richard J. Gordon stated Wednesday that Filipino firefighters should be provided with proper equipment and training as he recognized their significant role in saving the lives of the public during fires and other emergency situations.

During the interpellation for Senate Bill No. 1832 or the BFP Modernization Act of 2020, Gordon pointed out that the country's firefighting capabilities are currently insufficient.

"We are way below our capabilities in terms of fire protection. The ideal ratio is 1 firetruck to 14 fire fighters. In our country, we only have 10 fire fighters per fire tuck. Totaling, we have 23,030 fire fighters while the ideal is 50,490," he said.

Gordon added that there are only 2,848 fire trucks in the country, in which 40% are old models, and that more than 200 municipalities do not have their own fire stations.

Thus, Gordon commended the Committees on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs; Finance; Ways and Means; and Local Government for creating SB 1832 that aims to strengthen and modernize the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

"We cannot allow our fire fighters to go there without proper equipment and training. According to BFP, in 2019, 50% of fire fighters do not have complete set of PPEs. We have to arm our fire departments. Napakahirap makabangon kapag ikaw ay nasunugan. To save lives, to save properties, it is our duty to give our firemen the right equipment," Gordon said.

Among the provisions stated in the BFP Modernization Act of 2020 is the establishment and implementation of the BFP Modernization Program by the BFP in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) "geared towards the capability enhancement of its personnel and acquisition of state-of-the-art fire prevention, fire suppression, fire investigation, emergency medical and rescue services apparatus."