Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. directed on Thursday, Aug. 17, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to implement stringent regulations in accrediting volunteer fire brigades.
In the same directive, Abalos also asked the BFP to implement qualification standards to all volunteer firefighters and fire truck drivers in the wake of the death of a 62-year-old woman and the injury of eight others after they were accidentally hit by a responding volunteer fire truck in Tondo, Manila last Aug. 14.
He also instructed BFP chief Director Louie Puracan to review the present volunteer fire brigade guidelines accreditation, specifically pointing to the qualification of the firetruck drivers to avoid any untoward incidents during emergency response situations.
“If it is possible, dapat may seminar at exams sa emergency driving. Ang importante ay i-review nang maayos ang present guidelines (there should be seminar and exams in emergency driving. What is important is to review the present guidelines),’’ Abalos asserted.
The driver of the responding fire truck in the Tondo incident was identified as Rodolfo Pineda, 27, who is currently under police custody and is facing charges for Reckless Imprudence Resulting to Homicide, Physical Injuries and Damage to Property.
Abalos also said the BFP should carry out stringent rules to ensure that firetrucks of volunteer fire brigades are mechanically safe, sound, and suitable for operation.
He added that BFP should also continuously require fire brigades to undergo training on fire prevention, fire suppression, and other related skills.
The DILG chief offered his condolences to the family of the victim who died in the incident and asked the concerned volunteer fire brigade association to extend appropriate assistance to those injured.