The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) warned the public, specifically business establishment owners, to be on the lookout for lurking unscrupulous groups claiming to be legitimate fire safety inspectors.
In order not to be tricked, the BFP sadvised the public to look for the inspection order with the name and address of the firm being inspected duly signed by the fire marshal, BFP identification cards, body work cameras and to see to it the fire safety inspectors are clad in the standard BFP-issued uniform.
Further, the bureau explained that Republic Act (RA) 11032 or the “Ease of Doing Business’’ states that “the BFP or any of its officials or employees shall not sell, offer to sell, or recommend specific brands of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment to any applicant or requesting party or business entity.’’
The BFP encouraged the public to report to “[email protected]’’ any knowledge of unethical and unprincipled groups of individuals engaged in these unethical practices.
The BFP also asserted that extreme vigilance should always be exercised after authorities earlier foiled the attempt of three individuals posing as BFP personnel to sell fire extinguishers to a business firm in Cavite.
Earlier, all Metro Manila fire safety inspectors were relieved from their posts as part of the major reforms to clean up the enforcement system at the BFP.
BFP officer-in-charge (OIC) Supt. Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan said that qualified personnel who have not served as FSIs will replace them based on their training and records.
“If the BFP National Capital Region (NCR) lacks enough qualified personnel, personnel from outside NCR shall fill the gap,” Tiu explained.
The National Capital Region (NCR) was selected as the starting point of this reform as it has the highest number of business establishments and fire safety inspectors.